THE RISE OF VISA-FREE TRAVEL ACROSS AFRICA

Written by Barbara Sam

THE RISE OF VISA-FREE TRAVEL ACROSS AFRICA | WRITTEN BY BARBARA SAM

[Visa-Free Travel Africa] Visa-Free Entry across Africa creates a catalyst for growth boosting economies, enhancing cultural ties and the potential for more trade. This initiative holds transformative potential, not only for individual nations but for the continent. By allowing free movement of people across borders, Africa stands poised to unleash its full potential.

VISA FREE COUNTRIES & NEW POLICIES

Africa has seen a remarkable shift toward visa-free travel policies post pandemic, a move that holds significant potential to reshape the continent in terms of both economic and cultural dimensions. By removing visa requirements for fellow Africans, countries are not only fostering a sense of unity but also unlocking opportunities for economic growth, enhanced tourism, and meaningful cultural exchange.

Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda offer East Africa Tourist Visas that allow travel between the three countries with the same multiple entry visa. Any foreigner including African nationals who meet the requirements can submit an online visa application and pay one stand-alone visa fee, it provides travelers with multiple entries for 90 days without having to reapply or pay extra visa fees. The visa prohibits employment and is issued only for tourism purposes. This joint visa is offered as a collective initiative by Heads of States of the participating countries to boost regional travel across its borders. 

As more countries create visa free travel such as The East Africa Tourist Visa, it directly aligns with goals as expressed by the African Union, ‘Agenda 2063 Flagship Project, The African Passport and Free Movement of People.’ In a press release from the African Union, the Agenda 2063 Flagship Project, “The initiative aims at transforming Africa’s laws, which remain generally restrictive on movement of people despite political commitments to bring down borders with the view to promoting the issuance of visas by Member States to enhance free movement of all African citizens in all African countries.”

In a report titled ‘Africa Visa Openness Report 2023’, by Visa Openness Index in partnership with the African Development Bank and the African Union Commission, it highlights the achievement of 48 of 54 countries currently offering visa-free entry privileges to the citizens of at least one other country. Of the remaining six countries, four rank in the top 20 of 2023 AVOI because they offer a visa on arrival to the citizens of all other African countries. While 33 of 54 countries offer visa-free travel to at least 10 other countries. Four countries now offer visa-free entry to the citizens of the rest of the continent, up from three countries last year. Rwanda, Benin, The Gambia, and Seychelles have eliminated all visa requirements for African travelers, except for Seychelles for Nigerian travelers.

More countries across Africa are seeing economic growth in their tourism sector and the impact of Visa-free policies that align with broader initiatives for regional economic integration, promoted by the African Union, East African Community (EAC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

TOURISM

Destinations like Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco have long been popular with international tourists, but visa-free travel opens new possibilities for intra-African tourism. Countries with less well-known tourism sectors can benefit from increased visibility, attracting more travelers from neighboring nations. According to Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture about 1.1 million people traveled to Ghana in 2019 pre-pandemic. Ghana’s Year of Return, a yearlong Pan African Festival to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first recorded enslaved Africans in the State of Virginia in the United States. This initiative created a tremendous impact on their tourism industry.

In addition to ECOWAS visa free entry Ghana has opened the exchange to include Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago of the Caribbean. Additionally, the tourism industry is poised to gain significantly from visa-free travel. When it becomes easier for people to visit a country, tourism often flourishes. Tourism has long been recognized as one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth. Countries that embrace visa-free travel see a natural boost in tourism numbers, as potential visitors are no longer deterred by the cumbersome visa application process. Justa Lujwangana, founder of Curious on Tanzania, a tour operator who curates travel experiences for groups and individuals across Tanzania, shares her insight on the tourism industry and the growth of domestic tourism due to the ease of visa restrictions. 

“Tanzania was the destination to dive into during the pandemic. We never closed our doors. Due to its size and many remote areas, tourists who were tired of being on lockdown found their way to Tanzania to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, the serenity of the Serengeti and many other national parks as more than 26% of Tanzania land is towards game reservation. When it came to its citizens, most people left for the village to enjoy the quiet village life of farming. Domestic Tourism has increased since the pandemic. The government devoted itself to marketing tourism to its citizens but also encouraged entrepreneurship in the field. Domestic tourism helps support residents who share the stories of our great countries in return to find a way to feed their families.”

Tourism is a major source of foreign currency for many African nations. When international tourists visit, they spend money on accommodation, food, transport, and activities, bringing in valuable foreign exchange. These earnings help stabilize national currencies, reduce deficits, and balance trade. “Tourism is our number 2 sector when it comes to our GDP, when the pandemic hit, the tourism sector was affected and so many citizens were affected, so our then president decided to keep our doors open for tourists to come but also the government went stronger at promoting domestic tourism. If it was not for domestic tourism, the country would have been worse”, stated Lujwangana.

THE RISE OF VISA-FREE TRAVEL ACROSS AFRICA | WRITTEN BY BARBARA SAM

TRADE

Countries that embrace open-border policies send a powerful message of inclusiveness. These policies break down the barriers that have historically separated neighboring nations, allowing people to connect across borders with greater ease. Whether for business, education, or leisure, Africans now have the chance to explore other regions of the continent without the bureaucracy of visa applications. This seamless mobility fosters a collective African identity that transcends national boundaries and promotes unity.

“Africa has the resources and the human capacity to be the best and the wealthiest continent on earth. To achieve this, we need to foster unity, with totally visa free travel for all African citizens with an African passport. We should get rid of jealousy and arrogance and learn from each other to develop our continent,” stated Dr. Emmanuel Uzoma of the Pleroma foundation.

The removal of visa requirements makes it easier for traders to travel between countries, whether for sourcing goods or delivering products to new markets. This is particularly important in border regions where informal cross-border trade plays a crucial role in local economies. By allowing traders to move freely, visa-free policies reduce delays and costs associated with obtaining travel permits, thereby improving efficiency in the movement of goods.

Moreover, as more countries join visa-free agreements, transportation routes for goods can become more streamlined. In a 2021 report by the Economic Development in Africa, ‘Reaping the Potential Benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area for Inclusive Growth’, it states:

“The coherence of policies is essential, to reap the benefits of a free trade area, since national interests may tend to incentivize the protection of domestic industries and thereby may jeopardize regional integration efforts.”

The ability to move quickly between countries enables businesses to shorten supply chains and reduce logistical costs, making African products more competitive in regional and global markets. Visa-free travel makes it easier for investors to explore business opportunities in other African countries. When potential investors and trade partners can travel without the hassle of visa applications, they are more likely to visit new markets, assess investment prospects, and establish partnerships. This ease of access promotes cross-border investments, joint ventures, and collaborations, especially in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.

CONCLUSION

When businesses can operate across borders without visa-related restrictions, they are more likely to take advantage of the trade agreements, thus boosting regional trade and investment. One of the most important potential benefits of visa-free entry lies in its ability to stimulate intra-African trade. Visa-free policies across Africa represent a transformative shift with wide-reaching impacts to foster unity, drive tourism, economic growth, and facilitate cultural exchange. 

The move towards greater mobility within Africa is more than just a convenience for travelers - it’s a catalyst for the continent’s development and integration. As more countries adopt visa-free policies, Africa’s potential for growth and collaboration only continues to rise, paving the way for a brighter, more connected future. Trade between African nations holds immense potential for growth and development. Visa-free travel policies across Africa offer a powerful tool for intra-regional trade and economic development unlocking new opportunities.