By Uboh-Ekong Treasure
The government of Burkina Faso has announced the removal of visa fees for all African nationals, a landmark move aimed at strengthening Pan-African solidarity and encouraging greater mobility across the continent.
The decision was made during the weekly Council of Ministers meeting held on Thursday and presided over by the country’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, disclosed the policy shift in a briefing after the meeting.
“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to travel to Burkina Faso will not pay any amount to cover visa fees,” Sana said, noting that the policy is part of the government’s broader efforts to facilitate free movement of people and goods and deepen continental cooperation.
Authorities clarified that while visa fees have been removed, travelers from African countries will still be required to submit an online application and obtain entry approval before traveling. The measure, according to officials, is tied to amendments in the country’s 2025 budget execution law.
The government stated that detailed guidelines on implementation will soon be released, including instructions for online applications and categories of eligible travelers, to ensure a smooth rollout of the policy.
