Burkina Faso has announced the scrapping of visa fees for all African nationals, a landmark move aimed at strengthening Pan-African integration and boosting trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.

The announcement was made Thursday after a Council of Ministers meeting chaired by President Ibrahim Traoré, who emphasized that the decision aligns with his government’s vision of closer continental cooperation.

“This is a decisive step toward African unity,” President Traoré said in a statement. “We want Burkina Faso to be at the forefront of Pan-Africanism by ensuring that Africans can move freely across our borders without financial barriers.”

Visa Process Remains, But Free

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana, who presented the reform, clarified that visa applications will still be required but will be processed free of charge.

“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to go to Burkina Faso will not pay any amount to cover visa fees. The procedure remains, but it is entirely free,” he explained. “

The government said the measure was introduced through an amendment to the 2025 Finance Act and is designed to “promote tourism and Burkinabe culture, and improve Burkina Faso’s visibility abroad.”

Beyond ECOWAS, Toward African Unity

The move comes months after Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, withdrew from the West African bloc ECOWAS, where citizens already enjoyed visa-free entry.

Analysts say the new policy seeks to demonstrate that the country remains committed to intra-African mobility despite its break from the regional grouping.

Further, officials stressed that the policy will not only encourage cultural and academic exchange but also support local businesses by attracting more African visitors.

Regional observers have welcomed the announcement, noting that Burkina Faso joins a small but growing list of African states easing travel restrictions for continental citizens.

With the change now in effect, Africans travelling to Burkina Faso will need only to complete the online visa process, free of charge, before arrival.

Burkina Faso’s president, Ibrahim Traoré.PHOTO/Ibrahim Traoré X