African policymakers, corporate leaders and development partners (AfDB) have renewed demands for visa-free movement across the continent during a High-Level Symposium on Advancing a Visa-Free Africa for Economic Prosperity.
The forum, jointly organised by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the African Union Commission, took place on the sidelines of the 39th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa.
Delegates described mobility as the glaring gap in Africa’s integration drive. While tariffs are steadily being dismantled under the African Continental Free Trade Area, tight visa rules still choke trade in services, restrict investment flows, curb tourism and stifle labour mobility.
Participants stressed that a border-light Africa would require more than bold declarations. Harmonised migration policies, digital identity frameworks, stronger border systems and unwavering political will would all be essential.
Alex Mubiru, Director General for Eastern Africa at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), argued that the economic case for openness is clear and urged governments to abandon piecemeal adjustments in favour of sweeping reform.
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Former African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma reiterated that free movement sits at the heart of the AU’s Agenda 2063 blueprint, calling on member states to implement instruments such as the African Passport and the Free Movement of Persons Protocol.
Ghana’s Trade and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare highlighted her country’s early embrace of liberal visa policies for African travellers, noting an uptick in business visits, tourism and investor engagement.
Despite such progress, the latest Africa Visa Openness Index indicates that more than half of intra-African travel still requires visas secured before departure, underscoring how much ground remains to be covered.
