THE AFRICAN Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has applauded the Government and people of Burkina Faso for its decision to implement a visa-free entry regime for all African citizens.
In a statement released on Thursday, the regional trade union body described the policy as a “bold and progressive” step that transcends administrative change, calling it a “people-centred” measure that actively advances the vision of African integration.
The statement, signed by ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Comrade Akhator Joel Odigie, emphasised that by dismantling barriers to movement, Burkina Faso is accelerating intra-African trade, strengthening regional integration, and reinvigorating the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
Odigie also framed the move as a significant act of decolonisation, restoring “dignity and pride to Africans who aspire to move, work, and live freely within their own continent.”
A key highlight of the statement is the direct link drawn between the visa-free policy and the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
ITUC-Africa argued that free movement of people is a necessary counterpart to the free flow of goods and services envisioned by the AfCFTA.
“Workers, entrepreneurs, and professionals are the carriers of skills, knowledge, and innovation. Their mobility is vital for building functional and efficient industries, expanding markets, and creating decent jobs. Without the ability of workers to move freely, the promise of the AfCFTA will remain incomplete,” the statement read.
From a labour perspective, the organisation outlined several benefits of the new regime, including enhanced labour mobility which will facilitate cross-border movement for workers, traders, and professionals; enabling African talent to circulate more freely to areas where it is most needed; and promotion of decent work by creating a foundation for the harmonisation of labour standards under AfCFTA protocols.
ITUC-Africa also called on other African governments to follow suit and remove visa restrictions for Africans. For countries where visas remain a transitional measure, the organisation urged that processes be made “technology-enabled, efficient, and affordable.”
It specifically recommended that visa costs should not exceed one-tenth of a country’s minimum wage to ensure inclusivity and prevent mobility from becoming a privilege for the wealthy.
“Burkina Faso’s decision shines as a beacon of what is possible when governments put people and workers at the centre of policy,” the statement asserted, signalling a future where African workers can move freely to contribute to continental development.
ITUC-Africa reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the African Union, governments, and civil society to ensure that labour mobility and workers’ rights are central to the AfCFTA agenda, declaring, “The time for Africa is now; let’s not waste further time in the quest to unite its people.”
