Burkina Faso’s military government has announced that all Africans can now visit the country without paying visa fees, a move it says is designed to promote unity and strengthen ties across the continent.

The announcement was made by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana after a cabinet meeting led by junta 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,” Sana said. However, travellers will still be required to complete an online application before being granted entry.

This new policy aligns Burkina Faso with other African nations such as Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana, which have eased travel restrictions in support of the African Union’s free movement agenda.

Until now, only West African citizens enjoyed visa-free travel to Burkina Faso under ECOWAS protocols. But this development comes just months after Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, withdrew from ECOWAS, accusing the regional bloc of being too influenced by Western powers.

According to the government, the visa-free policy reflects a strong Pan-African vision and is expected to boost tourism, promote Burkinabe culture, and improve the country’s international visibility.

The announcement comes at a difficult time, as Burkina Faso continues to battle a deadly Islamist insurgency that has destabilized parts of the country. Still, the government insists the new measure is a step towards unity and collaboration among African nations.

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