Burkina Faso grants visa-free entry to all Africans
By Samuella Antwi
Burkina Faso has announced a landmark visa-free entry policy for all African citizens, a move aimed at fostering continental integration, boosting tourism, and strengthening cultural and trade ties.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana confirmed the decision on Thursday after a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Under the new policy, Africans travelling to Burkina Faso will no longer be required to pay visa fees, although visitors must still complete an online application for approval.
“This free visa system for African nationals will also help promote tourism and Burkinabe culture, and improve Burkina Faso’s visibility abroad,” the minister said.
The initiative aligns Burkina Faso with other African nations, including Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya, which have in recent years eased travel restrictions to encourage mobility across the continent.
The announcement reflects Captain Traoré’s Pan-Africanist stance. Since taking power in 2022, he has positioned himself as a strong advocate of continental unity, often criticising Western influence while calling for African self-reliance.
His popularity, especially among young Africans, has surged on social media, although critics accuse his government of curbing dissent and struggling to contain Islamist insurgencies within the country. The policy comes at a time when Burkina Faso, alongside Mali and Niger, has formally withdrawn from the West African bloc ECOWAS, severed ties with France, and sought closer cooperation with Russia.
