A bold campaign to break down visa barriers and unite Africa set off from Accra on Monday, August 18, 2025, embarking on a record 40,000-kilometre journey across 39 African countries.
The initiative—called the Trans African Tourism & Unity Campaign—will span 163 days, carrying a message that Africa must move faster toward becoming a continent without borders. Its central goal is to push for a visa-free Africa by 2030, a milestone that aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of a united and prosperous continent.
Endorsed by the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the journey will be led by Ras Mubarak, a former Ghanaian legislator and long-time Pan-African advocate.
“This is about unlocking Africa’s potential in tourism, trade, and cultural exchange,” Mubarak said. “History will honour leaders who act decisively to unite Africa. A visa-free Africa by 2030 is not just a dream—it is a necessity.”
The campaign made its first stop in Lomé, Togo, on August 18, before continuing through Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic.
The route will also cover Chad, Niger, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso—before returning to Ghana.
Along the way, campaigners will hold meetings with African heads of government, deliver letters advocating for visa-free policies, host press briefings, and organise cultural showcases.
Organisers say tourism is at the heart of the initiative—not only as a driver of economic growth, but also as a bridge for cultural exchange, youth empowerment, and cross-border collaboration.
“A visa-free Africa opens doors for our people to travel, learn, and trade with one another,” Mubarak said. “It is a movement to reclaim Africa’s narrative through open borders and shared prosperity.”
As Mubarak put it: “By fostering a visa-free Africa, we pave the way for a stronger, more connected continent for future generations.”
Source : BusinessNews.ng