Intra-African trade: Côte d’Ivoire removes customs visa for Mali and Burkina Faso as of April 11, 2026

Since April 11, 2026, Côte d’Ivoire has officially removed the customs visa requirement for goods bound for Mali and Burkina Faso, according to the Directorate General of Customs. The measure aims to speed up trade flows along the Abidjan–Bamako and Abidjan–Ouagadougou corridors by reducing administrative delays and logistics costs for businesses.

Previously in place for about 25 years, the requirement mandated prior approval from Malian and Burkinabe customs representatives. Its removal aligns with broader regional integration efforts and trade facilitation policies, supported by customs digitalization and inter-state transit frameworks .