Africa’s openness based on visa-free travel has seen significant improvements in recent years as nations work towards enhancing regional integration and fostering economic and cultural ties. Several initiatives and agreements have been initiated to help facilitate a more integrated society.
While progress is evident, challenges such as security concerns and administrative bottlenecks still impede seamless travel. This has however done little to halt Africa’s success, regardless of the degree of becoming a more open continent.
Africa’s progress with its openness policies was highlighted in the recently published 2023 Africa Visa Openness Report, by the African Development Bank. The report states that “After years of fluctuation, most recently, because of the drastic brakes on mobility imposed to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2023 Africa’s countries recorded their highest average Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) score measured to date.”
The study highlights the positive improvements that have occurred over the last 12 months, and below are some of the most prominent.
10 key milestones listed on the AfDB’s report
- Citizens of at least one other nation are now granted visa-free entrance into 48 out of 54 countries.
- Only four countries experienced a reduction in the number of countries that granted visas.
- 35 countries maintained the same level of access.
- At least 10 other countries can visit 33 of the 54 nations, without a visa.
- Citizens of other nations in Africa can now enter 4 African other African states without a visa, up from 3 the year prior.
- Citizens of at least one other African nation are eligible for a visa upon arrival in 30 nations.
- Citizens of no fewer than 35 African nations are eligible for a visa upon arrival in 12 countries. “The same 12 countries only require a visa ahead of travel from the citizens of nine African countries.”
- More than half of the continent still needs to apply for visas in advance of travel to 30 nations.
- Citizens of at least one other nation on the continent are required by 44 countries to get a visa before arrival.
- 24 nations make travel easier by providing e-visas.
Source: Business Insider
