Burkina Faso has announced it will no longer charge visa fees for citizens from African countries, a move aimed at boosting regional integration and easing travel across the continent.

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said on Thursday that African visitors will still be required to complete an online application before travelling, but no payment will be required. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Capt. Ibrahim Traoré.

“The free visa system for African nationals will also help promote tourism and Burkinabe culture, and improve Burkina Faso’s visibility abroad,” the government said in a statement.

Burkina Faso now joins countries such as Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda, which have introduced similar measures to make intra-African travel easier.

Citizens of West African states already enjoy visa-free access to Burkina Faso, but the government recently pulled out of the regional bloc ECOWAS alongside Mali and Niger, raising questions about future arrangements.

Capt. Traoré, who came to power in a 2022 coup, has positioned himself as a strong voice for Pan-Africanism, frequently criticising Western influence and colonialism. His popularity has been amplified across the continent, though critics accuse him of authoritarianism and failing to address the worsening Islamist insurgency at home.

Nearly 40 percent of Burkina Faso remains under the control of armed jihadist groups despite the junta’s promises to restore security and forge new military partnerships with Russia.

The African Union has been encouraging member states to simplify travel requirements, with Ghana and Kenya recently adopting visa-free entry for African passport holders. Rwanda also does not require visas for travellers from the continent.