Ghana Becomes 5th African Country To Approve Visa-Free Travel For Africans

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has granted executive approval for visa-free entry to Ghana for all African passport holders, fulfilling a pledge he made in January 2024 at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues. This policy, which will take effect in early 2025, positions Ghana as the fifth African nation to offer visa-free travel to all Africans, joining Rwanda, the Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin.

The visa-free policy aligns with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), headquartered in Accra, to foster regional integration and remove barriers to intra-African trade. Speaking during the Africa Prosperity Dialogues under the theme “Developing Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value, and Trade,” President Akufo-Addo highlighted the need for seamless travel to strengthen ties across the continent.

In his January address, the president noted that the government had already initiated steps to simplify visa acquisition, including reducing visa fees for conference attendees by 50%. He assured that visa-free travel for Africans would be implemented before the end of his tenure in January 2025.

Albert Muchanga, AfCFTA’s Commissioner for Economic Development, commended the decision, calling it a “step forward in realising the vision of a single African market.” This initiative aims to bolster efforts by the African Union to promote the free movement of people, goods, and services across the continent.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, along with the Ministry of the Interior, is working to finalise the logistics of the policy. The Ghana Immigration Service is expected to announce the exact start date, with January 1, 2025, being a likely target.

Ghana’s move resonates with long-standing frustrations voiced by African business leaders, including Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, who previously decried the cumbersome process of obtaining multiple visas for intra-African travel. The policy also addresses criticisms that non-Africans often have easier access to African countries than African nationals.

This development underscores Ghana’s legacy as a champion of pan-African unity, a vision championed by its first leader, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. It is a significant step toward dismantling travel barriers, enhancing regional collaboration, and achieving the objectives of AfCFTA.

While visa-free travel marks progress, critics argue that implementation must be accompanied by improved immigration processes and security measures to ensure its success. Nevertheless, this move represents a critical milestone in Africa’s journey toward greater economic and cultural integration.