Burkina Faso has made a significant move to boost Pan-African Solidarity and regional integration by scrapping visa fees for all African nationals. The announcement was made by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana following a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Captain Ibrahim Traore.
“From now on, any citizen from African country wishing to go to Burkina Faso will not pay any amount to cover visa fees,” Sana declared, adding that travellers will still b need to submit an online application for entry approval. The decision aligns Burkina Faso with countries like Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya, which have also eased visa requirements for Africans, supporting the African Union visa of free vinta-African travel.
The move is seen as reflection of Burkina Faso’s commitment to Pan-Africanist ideals and is expected to promote tourism, showcase Burkinabe culture, and improve the country’s global visibility. Citizens of West African states already enjoyed visa-free travel to Burkina Faso under ECOWAS protocols, but the new decision broadens access amid uncertainty over the country’s recent withdrawal from ECOWAS alongside Mali an Niger.
Captain Ibrahim Traore, who seized power in 2022, has positioned himself as a Pan-Africanist leader critical of colonialism and Western influence, gaining popularity across Africa, particularly on social media. However, Burkina Faso continues to face severe security challenges, battling Islamist insurgencies with nearly 40% of its territory reportedly outside state control.
The abolition of visa fees is part of Burkina Faso’s efforts to enhance accessibility and attractiveness to international travellers, likely boosting tourism and business travel. The policy doesn’t constitute a visa exemption but rather a waiver of fees associated with obtaining a visa, previously ranging from 83 euros for a simple tourist visa to 183 euros for a multiple entry business visa.
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