Burkina Faso has announced the removal of visa fees for all African nationals, a move the military-led government says is aimed at promoting regional integration, boosting tourism and reinforcing its commitment to Pan-Africanism.

Mahamadou Sana, the country’s Minister of Security, disclosed the policy shift on Thursday after a cabinet meeting chaired by the junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to travel to Burkina Faso will not pay any amount to cover visa fees,” Sana said.

He, however, clarified that travellers will still be required to complete an online visa application subject to approval.

According to BBC, the new policy brings Burkina Faso in line with countries such as Rwanda, Kenya and Ghana, which in recent years have adopted more open travel frameworks for African citizens.

It also noted that while nationals of West African countries have long enjoyed visa-free entry into Burkina Faso under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol, the country’s withdrawal from the regional bloc earlier, alongside Mali and Niger had raised questions about the future of free movement within the region.

BBC also reported that Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, has positioned himself as a vocal advocate of Pan-African solidarity, often criticising Western powers and colonial legacies while forging closer ties with Russia.

His administration described the visa fee removal as a reaffirmation of those ideals.

“The free visa system for African nationals will also help promote tourism, showcase Burkinabe culture and enhance Burkina Faso’s visibility abroad,” the government said.

In January, Ghana rolled out a visa-free policy for all African passport holders, while Kenya last year introduced an online travel authorisation system that scrapped traditional visa requirements for African visitors.

Rwanda has also long maintained an open-door policy for Africans.

Analysts say such measures are steps toward the AU’s long-term vision of a single African passport and the free movement of people, goods and services across the continent. (BusinessDay)