Burkina Faso removes visa obligations for African travelers
Burkina Faso has scrapped visa fees for citizens of every African nation. Officials say the move is aimed at boosting trade, tourism, and regional integration.
“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to go to Burkina Faso will not pay any amount to cover visa fees,” Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced Thursday. The announcement followed a cabinet meeting led by military ruler Capt. Ibrahim Traoré. Applicants must still complete an online visa request for approval.
The West African nation joins Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya in easing entry rules for African visitors. Citizens of Burkina Faso’s West African neighbors can already travel visa-free under regional agreements. That policy could shift as Burkina Faso—along with Mali and Niger—has withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, head of the junta since he seized power in a 2022 coup, expresses Pan-African ideals while criticizing Western influence. He has implemented his Pan-African dream across the continent. The junta said the visa-fee waiver helps to “promote tourism and Burkinabe culture, and improve Burkina Faso’s visibility abroad,” reflecting its commitment to African unity.
The African Union has long urged freer movement within the continent. The Union points that it is still easier for many Africans to visit Europe than neighboring African states. Recent steps by Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda to drop or simplify visa requirements reflect a growing trend toward intra-African mobility. Burkina Faso recorded in 2022 some 112,000 international tourist arrivals according to UN Tourism. The country expects to see arrivals surging to 160,000 by 2028.
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