(Ecofin Agency) - The common visa policy is part of the Confederation project announced in 2024, designed to boost cooperation and integration among AES member states.

Experts from the Sahel Alliance (AES), which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, are working on a common visa policy. The initiative was discussed during a meeting held in Bamako on Saturday, February 1, and Sunday, February 2, 2025. The announcement was made public by Mali’s national television (ORTM) on Sunday.

Named the "Liptako Visa," this regional visa will allow foreigners to move freely between AES member states. Discussions resulted in a proposal for a single visa model, including an e-visa that can be obtained online. The initiative aims to ease travel for AES citizens and neighboring countries. A final report will be submitted to the security ministers of the three member states for approval.

This move follows the introduction of the AES passport, which came after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on January 29.

Despite their exit, the alliance members seek to maintain some aspects of regional cooperation. They have decided to continue allowing ECOWAS citizens to travel freely within their territories. In response, ECOWAS has taken a similar approach to minimize economic and social disruptions during this transition period.

The implementation of a shared visa policy could enhance trade, attract investment, develop tourism, and strengthen cooperation between AES countries and the rest of the world.

However, security concerns remain a challenge. Due to ongoing instability in the Sahel region, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are classified as "red zones" by several countries, including France, the United States, and Canada. This designation has significantly impacted the tourism industry.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), Burkina Faso welcomed 115,904 tourists in 2022, while Mali recorded 168,122 visitors in 2021, an increase from 2020. Niger, however, saw a decline, with 85,472 tourists in 2020 compared to 192,240 in 2019.

This visa initiative is part of broader efforts to establish a Sahel Confederation, a plan announced in July 2024 to deepen cooperation and integration among AES member states.