As Africa seeks to build a single market of more than 1.4 billion people under a free trade agreement, a growing number of countries are removing visa barriers for fellow Africans, signaling a shift toward deeper economic integration and easier movement of people across the continent.
The latest measures come as African leaders seek to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, or AfCFTA, which aims to create one of the world's largest free trade areas and boost trade among African economies.
The Republic of Congo became the latest nation to embrace the trend, announcing that African passport holders will be allowed visa-free entry from Jan 1, 2027. ROC's President Denis Sassou Nguesso made the announcement during the African Development Bank's annual meetings in the capital Brazzaville last week.
The move follows similar efforts by Togo and Ghana to ease travel requirements for African visitors, adding momentum to a continent-wide push for facilitating trade, tourism and investment under AfCFTA.
On May 18, Togo, a West African nation, announced visa-free access for all African passport holders. The policy extends beyond existing arrangements within the Economic Community of West African States and bilateral visa-waiver agreements.
