Burkina Faso has announced that all African nationals can now enter the country without paying visa fees, a move aimed at deepening Pan-African unity and boosting cross-border movement.
The policy, confirmed by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana after a cabinet session led by military ruler Captain Ibrahim Traoré, allows Africans to apply for entry through an online approval system while waiving all visa charges.
Citizens of West African countries had already been traveling visa-free, but this wider reform extends the privilege to the rest of the continent.
Officials say the new policy is designed to encourage tourism, promote Burkinabe culture, and strengthen the country’s global image.
It also aligns with African Union efforts to foster integration by easing restrictions on travel and trade within the continent.
Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya have already implemented similar visa-free regimes.
The decision comes months after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger pulled out of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), raising concerns about mobility and regional cooperation.
By adopting a broader Pan-African stance, the junta hopes to reassure travelers and reinforce its ideological commitment to African solidarity.
Since taking power in a 2022 coup, Captain Traoré has positioned himself as a champion of independence from colonial-era systems and Western influence.
His leadership style has found an audience among Pan-African activists and younger Africans across social media.
Despite the policy shift, Burkina Faso remains locked in a prolonged struggle with Islamist insurgents, with vast parts of its territory still outside government control.
Security challenges continue to disrupt daily life, even as the government seeks to project an image of openness and resilience.