Burkina Faso’s military government has introduced a free visa policy for all African citizens to strengthen Pan-African unity and regional integration.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said travellers will only need to complete an online application, without paying visa fees.
The move aligns Burkina Faso with Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya, which have also eased restrictions under the African Union’s free movement agenda.
Burkina Faso’s military government has announced a free visa policy for all African travellers in a move aimed at strengthening Pan-African unity and boosting regional integration.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana disclosed the decision on Thursday, stating that citizens from any African country will no longer be required to pay visa fees when visiting Burkina Faso. However, travellers must still complete an online application process subject to approval.
The new policy aligns Burkina Faso with nations such as Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya, which have recently eased travel restrictions for Africans to support the African Union’s free movement agenda.
While West African citizens previously enjoyed visa-free access under ECOWAS protocols, the expanded measure comes months after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger withdrew from the regional bloc, accusing it of advancing Western interests.
According to the junta, the policy underscores Burkina Faso’s Pan-Africanist ideals and is expected to encourage tourism, promote Burkinabe culture, and enhance the country’s international profile.
The announcement, however, comes at a time when Burkina Faso continues to battle a deepening Islamist insurgency that has left significant areas of the country outside government control.