Ouagadougou — In a sweeping move to promote continental unity, Burkina Faso has eliminated visa fees for all African travelers, reinforcing its commitment to pan-Africanism and regional integration.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced the policy on Thursday following a cabinet meeting chaired by interim leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré. While visa fees have been waived, African visitors must still complete an online application for approval prior to entry.
A Continental Trend Toward Free Movement
Burkina Faso joins a growing list of African nations—including Ghana, Rwanda, Benin, Seychelles, and most recently Kenya—that have adopted visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies for African citizens. These reforms align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aim to foster economic integration and ease mobility across the continent.
Political Realignment in the Sahel
The visa reform comes amid Burkina Faso’s broader geopolitical shift. Earlier this year, the country formally withdrew from ECOWAS alongside Mali and Niger, citing concerns over sovereignty and foreign interference. The three military-led governments have since formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), positioning themselves as defenders of African autonomy.
In recent months, Ouagadougou, Bamako, and Niamey have:
- Expelled French troops
- Terminated defense agreements with Paris
- Introduced new passports without ECOWAS symbols
- Withdrawn from the International Organization La Francophonie
🇳🇪 Niger’s Reciprocal Visa Restrictions
Meanwhile, Niger has imposed new visa restrictions on several European countries, including Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Citizens from these nations must now apply for visas at Nigerien embassies in Geneva, Ankara, or Moscow, while diplomatic passport holders may use the embassy in Brussels. The move was described by Nigerien authorities as an act of “reciprocity.”
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