MWE Correspondent
Burkina Faso has announced that citizens from every African country will no longer be required to pay visa fees when visiting the West African nation.
The decision, revealed after a government cabinet meeting in Ouagadougou, is designed to encourage greater unity, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation across the continent. Although visa applications must still be submitted online through an official government system, authorities say that all fees have been waived to remove barriers to travel. Each application will continue to undergo screening before approval is granted.
For years, the cost of visas – which could reach as high as €183 for multiple-entry permits – was seen as a deterrent to tourism and business exchanges. By abolishing these fees, Burkina Faso hopes to attract more visitors, showcase its traditions and festivals, and strengthen its profile on the international stage. Officials also frame the move as support for the African Union’s longstanding call to simplify intra-African travel and work toward the ambitious goal of a single continental passport.
For many Africans, this policy could feel life-changing. Students seeking short academic exchanges, families hoping to reunite across borders, and artists wishing to perform at Burkina Faso’s celebrated cultural festivals will now find the process more affordable and straightforward. Small business owners may also benefit, with trade fairs and regional markets likely to see a rise in participants from neighbouring states.
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Tour operators in Ouagadougou have already expressed optimism, noting that reduced costs could revive tourism in cities and rural areas alike. From the country’s iconic film festival FESPACO to its vibrant music and dance traditions, the decision opens a new door for cultural diplomacy.
Yet challenges remain. Burkina Faso still faces security concerns in parts of its territory, and questions linger about whether the online application system is robust enough to handle a sudden surge in demand. Some analysts caution that true integration requires not only cheaper travel but also infrastructure upgrades, safe transport corridors, and sustained political stability.
Burkina Faso now joins other reform-minded states such as Rwanda and Kenya, which have pioneered policies to ease African travel restrictions. If more countries follow this example, observers believe the continent could move closer to realizing the dream of free movement and economic solidarity envisioned in the African Continental Free Trade Area.
For many ordinary Africans, the end of visa fees is more than just a bureaucratic change—it is a symbolic gesture of belonging to a larger community. As one young entrepreneur in Ouagadougou put it: “It feels like Africa is finally opening its doors to Africans.”
