Burkina Faso Waives Visa Fees for All African Nationals

The Government of Burkina Faso has declared that citizens of all African countries will no longer have to pay fees when applying for visas to enter Burkina Faso. This bold move aims to strengthen Pan‑African solidarity, promote free movement of people and goods, and deepen regional integration.

What Has Been Announced

- Burkina Faso will waive visa application fees for all African nationals.

- Visas remain mandatory but can be applied for online, free of charge.

- The policy is designed to boost trade, tourism, and Pan‑African unity.

Background Context

Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, recently withdrew from ECOWAS. However, ECOWAS continues to allow citizens from these countries certain travel privileges. Previously, ECOWAS nationals already enjoyed visa‑free entry into Burkina Faso. The new policy goes further by removing costs for citizens of all African states.

African Countries Affected

The waiver applies to all 54 African nations, covering North, West, East, Central, and Southern Africa. The full list includes:

Algeria

Angola

Benin

Botswana

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Central African Republic

Chad

Comoros

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Congo, Republic of the

Côte d’Ivoire

Djibouti

Egypt

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Eswatini

Ethiopia

Gabon

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea‑Bissau

Kenya

Lesotho

Liberia

Libya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mali

Mauritania

Mauritius

Morocco

Mozambique

Namibia

Niger

Nigeria

Rwanda

São Tomé and Príncipe

Senegal

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Africa

South Sudan

Sudan

Tanzania

Togo

Tunisia

Uganda

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Impacts and Opportunities

Economic: Increased trade and tourism due to lower travel costs.

Social: Stronger Pan‑African cultural and educational exchanges.

Political: Greater integration despite regional blocs’ tensions.

Administrative: Immigration systems must adapt to handle more visa applications online.

Conclusion

By removing visa fees for African nationals, Burkina Faso sets a precedent for deeper African unity. This decision could encourage other countries to follow suit, driving the continent closer toward free movement and shared growth.