Photo credit: Business Day
The West African country, Burkina Faso, has removed visa fees for all African travellers.
The country’s security minister Mahamadou Sana announced after a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Captain Ibrahim Traore on Thursday that, “From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to go to Burkina Faso will not pay any amount to cover visa fees.”
However, African visitors will be required to submit online visa applications, which will be reviewed for approval, the minister said.
Burkina Faso joins other African countries like Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya, which have eased travel requirements for African visitors.
But things may change in the future for citizens of West African countries since Burkina Faso has pulled out of ECOWAS, the regional block. ECOWAS has a visa-free policy for member countries.
The young military leader of Burkina Faso Traore is admired in the continent for his charismatic leadership. But he has faced criticism for his authoritarian style oof governance, his handling of dissent and the ongoing Islamic insurgency.
The scrapping of visa fees for the continent’s nationals reflects Burkina Faso’s attachment to Pan-Africanist ideals and promotes regional integration, according to a statement from the junta’s information service.
