Burkina Faso has announced the introduction of free visas for African nationals, in line with the 2025 Amending Finance Law.
According to the government, this measure aims to facilitate the free movement of people and goods, while also strengthening the country’s tourism and economic appeal. It follows the rollout of an electronic visa system in 2023.
According to the Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) 2024, 47% of intra-African trips still require a visa in advance, compared with 46% in 2023. Only 27 African countries offer a visa on arrival, slightly down from 30 the previous year.
The introduction of free visas could help boost tourist flows, creating opportunities for related sectors such as hotels, restaurants, transport, and culture by expanding their markets. Beyond tourism, the measure is also expected to facilitate business and trade travel, which will stimulate regional exchanges in the current context of the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) implementation, reports Agence Ecofin.
