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Military ruler Traoré scraps visa charges for all African nationals
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Policy expands beyond ECOWAS as Burkina Faso exits regional bloc
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Move aligns with African Union agenda to boost free movement and tourism
Burkina Faso visa policy has been overhauled, with the government announcing the removal of visa fees for all African travellers in a move to deepen Pan-African integration and enhance free movement across the continent.
Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, confirmed the decision after Thursday’s cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
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He said applicants must still complete an online entry form, but no charges will apply under the new framework.
West African citizens had already enjoyed visa-free entry, yet this new directive extends access to nationals across the entire continent.
The change comes as Burkina Faso navigates its withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), signalling a pivot toward broader African Union frameworks.
Government officials said the measure is expected to attract tourists, highlight Burkinabe cultural heritage, and reposition the country’s global image.
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It also places Burkina Faso alongside Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya in offering expanded visa-free access to Africans.
Traoré, who seized power in 2022, has cultivated an image as a Pan-Africanist leader and outspoken critic of Western influence.
His policies have boosted domestic and regional popularity even as Burkina Faso continues to battle Islamist insurgencies, with large swathes of territory still outside state control despite military cooperation with Russia.
