The African Union (AU) is intensifying its efforts to eliminate visa restrictions across Africa, promoting seamless movement as a driver for economic growth and regional integration. During the 38th AU Summit, leaders and policymakers called for urgent action to dismantle travel barriers that continue to obstruct intra-African trade, labor mobility, and innovation.
The African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) jointly emphasized the need for visa liberalization, highlighting that over 50% of African nations still require visas for most African travellers. Despite success stories from countries like Rwanda, The Gambia, Seychelles, and Ghana, progress remains slow.
To accelerate change, the AU and AfDB have launched the 2025 Visa-Free Roadshow, an initiative aimed at engaging policymakers, businesses, and civil society in advocating for open borders. Leaders are being urged to turn policy commitments into action, aligning free movement with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063.
With mounting pressure for reform, the AU’s push for visa-free travel signals a bold step towards a united, economically vibrant Africa where movement fuels innovation, trade, and regional cooperation.
