Burkina Faso has removed visa fees for all African travellers to ease the movement of people and goods into the country.

According to BBC, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced the decision following a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré on Thursday.

“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, while noting that visitors are still required to submit an online visa application, which will be reviewed for approval.

The decision aligns Burkina Faso with other African countries such as Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya, which have eased travel restrictions for visitors from within the continent.

Citizens of West African countries were already allowed to travel to Burkina Faso without a visa, though this arrangement may be affected by the country’s recent withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), alongside Mali and Niger, which are also under military rule.

Capt Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, has positioned himself as a Pan-Africanist leader while criticising the West and colonial legacies.

His leadership style has drawn admiration across Africa for its charisma, though he has faced criticism over authoritarian governance, suppression of dissent.

The scrapping of visa fees for the continent’s nationals reflects Burkina Faso’s attachment to Pan-Africanist ideals and promotes regional integration, a statement from the junta’s information service said late on Thursday.

“This free visa system for African nationals will also help promote tourism and Burkinabe culture, and improve Burkina Faso’s visibility abroad,” it added.

By removing visa fees for African nationals, Burkina Faso hopes to strengthen ties across the continent, attract tourists, and enhance the visibility of its culture, even as the country continues to grapple with internal security challenges.