Burkina Faso has announced the removal of visa fees for all African travelers in a policy shift aimed at promoting easier movement of people and goods across the continent.
The decision, approved by the Council of Ministers on September 11, 2025, means that citizens from any African country will no longer pay visa fees to enter Burkina Faso, although they must still apply for a visa online.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana explained that the policy reflects Burkina Faso’s commitment to Pan-Africanism and seeks to boost tourism and the country’s visibility abroad.
However, he clarified that visa fee waivers do not equate to visa exemptions; travelers must submit online applications which are reviewed for approval, after which visas are issued free of charge.
This move aligns Burkina Faso with other African nations like Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya, which have eased travel requirements for African visitors.
Citizens from West African countries currently travel to Burkina Faso visa-free due to regional agreements, but this may change as Burkina Faso and its neighbors Mali and Niger have withdrawn from Ecowas following military takeovers.
The new visa fee waiver policy prioritizes facilitating African integration and economic activities while strengthening historic continental ties under the leadership of military ruler Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
