Burkina Faso has announced that citizens from all African countries will no longer be required to pay visa fees when travelling to the West African nation. 

The move, authorities say, is aimed at strengthening ties across the continent and making the movement of people and goods easier.

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana revealed the new policy after a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré. While travellers will still need to complete an online application for approval, the financial barrier of visa charges has been removed.

This makes Burkina Faso one of the few African countries to introduce such a measure, joining Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya, which have also eased restrictions for African visitors.

Pan-African vision behind the policy

Captain Traoré, who came to power through a 2022 coup, has often presented himself as a champion of Pan-Africanism. 

His government described the decision as a step to promote unity, cultural exchange, and regional tourism. According to the junta’s statement, the policy will help showcase Burkina Faso’s culture while improving its international image.

Still, the announcement comes at a time of political and security uncertainty. Alongside Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso recently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). 

Although West Africans have traditionally travelled freely across the region, that arrangement may soon change following the country’s exit from the bloc.

Balancing security and openness

Burkina Faso’s decision reflects a growing continental push to simplify travel for Africans within Africa. The African Union has long encouraged such reforms, highlighting the need for stronger integration. 

Yet, the country faces daunting internal challenges. Nearly 40% of Burkina Faso remains under the control of armed groups, despite the government’s efforts to strengthen security and build new alliances, including with Russia. 

Critics argue that the visa policy may be overshadowed by the worsening insurgency and questions about Traoré’s authoritarian style of governance.

A symbolic but significant atep

For many across the continent, scrapping visa fees is more than a bureaucratic change, it is a symbolic move towards unity. It sends a message that African nations can create systems that favour Africans first, rather than outsiders.

If successful, the policy could boost tourism and encourage greater cultural and economic exchange within Africa. 

For Burkina Faso, it is a chance to position itself not just as a nation facing crisis, but as one that still believes in the promise of Pan-African solidarity.