Visa waivers to boost trade and tourism in Africa

The African Union is working on a continental visa-free regime to facilitate the movement of people and goods

The African Union (AU) is working on a continental visa-free regime to facilitate the movement of people and goods across the continent, according to its Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Albert Muchanga. The initiative is part of the AU’s Agenda 2063, which aims to create a prosperous and integrated Africa by 2063. The initiative is also linked to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which came into force in January 2021, and covers 54 of the 55 AU member states.

The visa-free regime is expected to boost trade and tourism in Africa, as it will reduce the costs and barriers of travel, and increase the opportunities and markets for businesses and consumers. The visa-free regime will also enhance the cultural and social integration of the continent, as it will foster the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences among the African people. The visa-free regime will also promote peace and security in the continent, as it will encourage dialogue and cooperation among the African countries.

The visa-free regime is based on the African passport and the single African air transport market

The visa-free regime is based on the African passport and the single African air transport market, which are two of the flagship projects of the AU’s Agenda 2063. The African passport is a common passport for all African citizens, which grants them visa-free access to all AU member states. The passport was launched in 2016, and has been issued to some heads of state, government officials, and diplomats. The passport is expected to be rolled out to the general public by 2023.

The single African air transport market is a liberalized and harmonized market for air services in Africa, which allows airlines to operate freely and competitively across the continent. The market was launched in 2018, and has been joined by 34 AU member states. The market is expected to increase the connectivity and affordability of air travel in Africa, and create more jobs and revenue for the aviation sector.

The visa-free regime faces some challenges and opportunities

The visa-free regime faces some challenges and opportunities, as it requires the coordination and cooperation of the AU member states, as well as the involvement and support of the private sector and the civil society. Some of the challenges include:

• The lack of infrastructure and capacity to issue and manage the African passport, and to ensure its security and validity.
• The lack of harmonization and standardization of the visa policies and procedures among the AU member states, and the need to address the concerns and interests of the national authorities and stakeholders.
• The lack of awareness and information among the African citizens and travelers about the benefits and requirements of the visa-free regime, and the need to promote and popularize the initiative.
• The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the travel and tourism industry, and the need to implement and comply with the health and safety protocols and guidelines.

Some of the opportunities include:

• The potential to increase the intra-African trade and tourism, which are currently low compared to other regions, and to contribute to the economic growth and development of the continent.
• The potential to enhance the regional and continental integration and cooperation, and to foster the sense of African identity and solidarity among the African people.
• The potential to leverage the existing initiatives and platforms, such as the AfCFTA, the single African air transport market, and the African Union Development Agency, to facilitate and support the implementation and monitoring of the visa-free regime.
• The potential to attract more foreign investment and tourists to the continent, and to showcase the diversity and richness of the African culture and heritage.