African policymakers, business leaders, and development institutions have renewed calls for visa-free travel across the continent, describing it as essential to unlocking Africa’s economic transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The push came during a High-Level Symposium co-convened by the African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.

Participants emphasized that while tariff barriers are gradually falling, restrictive visa regimes remain a major obstacle to trade, investment, tourism, and labor mobility across Africa.

Officials stressed that visa liberalization, alongside interoperable digital systems and integrated markets, could serve as a powerful catalyst for enterprise, innovation, and regional value chains.

African Development Bank representative Alex Mubiru noted that mobility is the “missing link” needed to translate economic integration into real growth, urging countries to move beyond incremental reforms.

AU Commissioner Amma Twum-Amoah echoed this view, describing visa openness as a strategic tool for strengthening regional markets and improving collective economic and humanitarian responses.

Former AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma reinforced that free movement is a core pillar of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision, calling for full implementation of the African Passport and Free Movement of Persons Protocol.

Ghana’s Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare highlighted Ghana’s early success with visa openness, citing increased tourism, business travel, and investor interest.

However, the latest Africa Visa Openness Index shows that more than half of intra-African travel still requires pre-approved visas, a barrier widely viewed as limiting trade and economic expansion.

Industry leaders and regional bodies also emphasized the need for coordinated reforms.

Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Bekele called for simultaneous progress in aviation connectivity and visa liberalization.

While the Southern Africa Development Community stressed stronger border management and digital identity systems.

Participants agreed that achieving visa-free travel will require aligned migration policies, upgraded infrastructure, and sustained political will, with development partners pledging continued support to advance Africa’s integration, competitiveness, and long-term economic growth.