Nigeria TV Info – Burkina Faso has abolished visa fees for all African travellers in a move aimed at strengthening regional integration and promoting the free movement of people and goods. The announcement was made on Thursday by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana, following a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to travel to Burkina Faso will not pay visa fees,” Sana stated. However, applicants will still be required to complete an online form, which will undergo review before approval.

This decision aligns Burkina Faso with countries like Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya, which have already eased visa rules for African nationals. While citizens of West African states can currently enter Burkina Faso visa-free, this arrangement could evolve in light of the country’s recent withdrawal from ECOWAS alongside Mali and Niger, both under military rule.

According to a statement from the junta’s information service, the policy reflects Burkina Faso’s commitment to Pan-Africanist ideals, aiming to boost tourism, promote Burkinabe culture, and enhance the country’s international profile.

Captain Traoré, who took power in a 2022 coup, has fashioned himself as a Pan-Africanist leader while frequently criticising Western influence and colonial legacies. His defiant stance and charismatic image have earned him admiration across Africa, amplified by social media. Yet, his leadership has also drawn criticism for authoritarian tendencies, suppression of dissent, and an escalating security crisis at home.