Burkina Faso Scraps Visa Fees for African Travelers in Push for Regional Integration

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso — Burkina Faso has announced the elimination of visa fees for citizens of all African countries, in a move aimed at boosting regional integration, tourism, and intra-African mobility.

The policy, unveiled by the transitional government on Monday, will allow African travelers to enter Burkina Faso without paying visa charges, although standard entry requirements will still apply.

“This decision reflects our commitment to African solidarity and the free movement of people across the continent,” said Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré. “We believe that breaking down these barriers is essential for economic growth and regional cooperation.”

Burkina Faso becomes one of a small but growing number of African countries taking steps to ease travel restrictions for fellow Africans, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) objectives.

The move has been welcomed by business leaders, regional bodies, and civil society groups who see it as a practical step toward fostering deeper economic and cultural ties across West Africa and beyond.

Despite ongoing security challenges linked to armed insurgencies in parts of the country, officials say the visa waiver is part of a broader strategy to open Burkina Faso’s economy and strengthen its ties with neighboring nations.

The government did not specify when the new visa-free policy would take effect but said implementation would be swift and coordinated with immigration authorities.