Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda and Seychelles offer visafree access to all Africans

NAIROBI, Kenya (BG) – The 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) has revealed steady improvements in visa accessibility across the continent, with 35 African nations improving or maintaining their scores from 2023, according to a report.

The report highlights growing momentum toward greater integration and mobility, aligning with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) goals.

Released by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Union Commission, the annual report emphasizes regional advancements, policy reforms, and technological innovation as driving greater mobility.

East Africa Remains a Leader

East Africa continues to lead the charge in visa-free travel, with Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda at the forefront. Rwanda offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to all Africans, setting an exemplary standard for the continent.

Southern Africa Makes Notable Strides

Southern Africa has made significant progress, with Namibia climbing the AVOI rankings due to relaxed visa policies. South Africa, traditionally more restrictive, has streamlined its application process with new e-visa systems, making it easier for citizens of selected African nations to visit.

Central Africa: Room for Improvement

While Central Africa lags other regions, some countries are making progress. Cameroon has maintained its position on the index and is working on reforms to improve mobility. Gabon, known for its stringent travel policies, has begun piloting regional visa agreements to foster closer ties with its neighbors.

North Africa Expands Access

Morocco continues to lead in North Africa by offering visa-free travel to several African countries.

Tunisia and Egypt have implemented selective visa-on-arrival policies to bolster tourism and economic ties.

However, the region faces challenges in achieving broader openness, with countries like Algeria remaining among the most closed on the continent.

Technology and Policy Reforms

Across Africa, digital solutions like Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) systems are transforming visa processing.

Countries like Djibouti have fully embraced such innovations, setting a benchmark for efficiency and accessibility.

Comparing Progress Year-on-Year

Compared to 2023, the number of countries offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to Africans rose to 21.

Central and North Africa showed steady improvements, with Gabon piloting regional visa frameworks and Egypt expanding visa-on-arrival options.

Southern Africa recorded the highest regional improvement, with Namibia and South Africa making notable advances.

Toward a Borderless Africa

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, highlighted the importance of connectivity in driving economic growth. “Apart from the fact that you need connectivity, you also need to have freedom for people to move from one place to the other. I believe we cannot say we have borderless trade when we put up barriers for people to travel.”

The AVOI aligns with the AfCFTA’s goals of fostering a unified market and enhancing regional trade. By reducing travel restrictions, African nations strengthen economic ties and create opportunities for tourism, education, and cultural exchange.

Africa’s visa openness journey is gradually creating a more integrated continent, empowering its 1.4 billion citizens with greater access to opportunities.

The Africa Visa Openness Index 2024 was published in November 2024.

‘Reducing Barriers to the Movement of Capital’

“African countries continue to make strides in finalising several outstanding issues on the AfCFTA. In accordance with the AU’s vision to be a socio-economically well-integrated continent, this important flagship project of the AU’s framework for structural transformation – Agenda 2063 – is expected to uplift millions of the continent’s citizens out of poverty by boosting intra-Africa trade in goods and services, creating economic opportunities domestically and a platform for the expansion of intraAfrican value chains, and by reducing barriers to the movement of capital,” Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development African Union Commission said in the report,

“Africa is advancing on its quest for greater integration, and the AVOI provides a clear gauge of progress – to ensure there is constant attention to the need to create a continent where movement is seamless, and borders connect rather than divide. T his year’s Index reveals both inspiring progress and some persistent barriers,” Nnenna Lily Nwabufo Vice President, Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery African Development Bank Group said in the report.