The country’s Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, announced the decision on Thursday after a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to go to Burkina Faso will not pay any amount to cover visa fees,” Mr Sana declared. He added, however, that travellers must still complete an online application before entry is approved.
While citizens of West African states already enjoy visa-free entry, the latest policy widens access at a time when Burkina Faso’s relationship with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) remains uncertain. Alongside Mali and Niger, the Sahelian nation withdrew from the bloc earlier this year, raising questions over the future of regional travel and trade.
Burkina Faso now joins Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya in championing easier travel for Africans, aligning with the African Union’s long-standing goal of
greater continental integration. According to the junta’s information service, the policy will not only facilitate movement but also promote tourism, showcase Burkinabè culture, and enhance the country’s visibility on the international stage.Captain Traoré, who came to power in a 2022 coup, has increasingly portrayed himself as a Pan-Africanist leader resistant to colonial-era influence and Western dominance. His popularity, particularly among young Africans on social media, has grown steadily as he pushes for policies viewed as bold and defiant.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of ongoing security challenges. Like neighbouring Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso has struggled with a deadly Islamist insurgency for over a decade, with nearly 40 per cent of its territory outside government control. Despite closer security ties with Russia and assurances from the junta to restore order, attacks on civilians and security forces remain frequent.
Still, the visa-free policy represents a symbolic and practical step towards building unity across Africa — a gesture that could reshape how the continent’s citizens experience travel and connection in the years to come.
