Why Africa should stop closed-border and visa-restriction policies

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Intra-African travel is complicated and fraught with suspicion. To travel in Africa, According to the Visa Openness Index Report 2021, 51% of African Countries require African countries to obtain a visa before they arrive. 25% of African countries welcome some or all African visitors visa-free.

The immigration officers insisted even though the Visa on Arrival policy is valid – and have provided all necessary documents requested; hotel reservation, employer’s letter, return ticket – she still needs to provide a letter of invitation which has to come from the Mozambican embassy in her country inviting her. Like some criminal, she was escorted back to the plane and ferried back to Nigeria, forfeiting the purpose of her business trip to the country.

Intra-African travel is complicated and fraught with suspicion. To travel in Africa, according to the, 51% of African countries require African countries to obtain a visa before they arrive. Twenty five per cent of African countries welcome some or all African visitors visa-free. Twenty four per cent of African countries allow some African visitors to obtain a visa on arrival. Only Seychelles, Benin, and The Gambia offer visa-free access to Africans.

And to add that, it is also expensive to fly within the continent – thanks to the government’s heavy taxes, protectionist policies, poor connectivity, and infrastructure – which sadly continues to stifle the growth of the aviation industry on the continent. On the average, passenger charges are twice as much on the continent as in Europe or the Middle East.

While the African Union has developed ambitious plans for the continental free trade area, the free movement of its people lags. Undoubtedly, “trade is a force for good,” as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala rightlyRight now, African countries need to position themselves to make the AfCTA work strategically, and one of such ways is to relax their visa restrictions for easy entry of Africans.

 

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Intrusion,please note: Africa is not America or Europe. Influx will Damage Africa

So the Fulani can walk into everyone's country with their cattle and try to take over everybody's ancestral land right? That is so stupid a suggestion!

So what happens with the bandits and terrorists?🤥

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Africa needs to open up to its people, not only trade, By Olufemi OgunjobiAfrican countries need to strategically position themselves to make AfCTA work, and one of such ways is by relaxing visa restrictions.
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