The African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission have intensified calls for visa-free travel across Africa, describing the free movement of people as a critical driver of economic transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The renewed appeal followed a high-level symposium held on the sidelines of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, where policymakers and development leaders argued that restrictive visa regimes continue to hinder intra-African trade, investment, tourism, labour mobility, and the growth of services.
Participants stressed that easing travel restrictions would help translate continental policy ambitions into tangible economic activity.
Data presented at the forum showed that only Seychelles, Mozambique, Rwanda, Comoros and Madagascar currently grant visa-free access or visas on arrival to citizens of all African countries.
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In contrast, countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Sudan require visas from all African travellers. On average, Africans need visas to visit about 60 per cent of countries on the continent, with Somalia recording one of the highest restrictions and The Gambia among the lowest.
Alex Mubiru, Director-General for Eastern Africa at the AfDB, said practical tools such as visa liberalisation, interoperable digital systems and integrated markets are essential to unlocking enterprise, innovation and regional value chains.
He urged governments to move beyond gradual reforms toward more transformative action.
AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Amma Twum-Amoah, called for quicker implementation of existing continental frameworks, including the African Passport and the Free Movement of Persons Protocol, describing visa openness as a strategic lever for strengthening regional markets and improving collective responses to crises.
Former AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma also reiterated that free movement remains central to the bloc’s long-term development blueprint, Agenda 2063.
Ghana’s Trade and Industry Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, shared her country’s experience with open visa policies for African travellers, noting early gains in business travel, tourism and investor interest.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Bekele, emphasised that aviation connectivity under the Single African Air Transport Market must advance alongside visa liberalisation to ensure seamless mobility.
Regional representatives highlighted the need for stronger border management systems, digital identity frameworks and coordinated migration policies.
Participants concluded that achieving a visa-free Africa will require sustained political commitment, institutional alignment and investment in border infrastructure.
In a symbolic show of support, attendees signed a “passport wall,” backing accelerated reforms to make cross-border movement easier for African citizens.
