Burkina Faso has revealed it has removed visa fees for all African travelers, aiming to facilitate the movement of people and goods into the country.
“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to go to Burkina Faso will not pay any amount to cover visa fees,” Mahamadou Sana, the country’s security minister, said after a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré on Thursday.
Nonetheless, the minister went on to clarify that African visitors will be required to submit an online visa application, which will be reviewed for approval.
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Captain Ibrahim Traore’s nation joins the likes of Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya, which have eased travel requirements for African visitors.
Already, citizens of West African nations can visit Burkina Faso without the need for visas, yet this could change in the future due to the country being pulled out of the regional bloc, Ecowas, along with its neighbors, Mali and Niger which are also under military rule.
Few reports about the Sahel and Burkina Faso indicate that some tourists fear military rule in Burkina Faso.
Although there have been promises by Capt Traoré’s military government to improve security and seek new partnerships with Russia, the situation remains dire with frequent attacks.
The visa fees being scrapped for African nationals reflects Burkina Faso’s alignment 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.
Many other African countries have tried to ease travel requirements for visitors from elsewhere on the continent in recent years, with studies showing it is often easier for citizens of Western countries to visit.
Reports indicate that the move to ease travel within the continent is also being pushed by the African Union (AU).
Months ago, Ghana declared that all African passport holders would now be able to visit without needing a visa. Also, African visitors to Rwanda do not need a visa to enter the country.
