Written by Kolawole Osinowo
African Single Market for Goods Faces Movement Challenges
Africa has established a single market for goods, yet essential facilities for public movement remain lacking. This discrepancy highlights a pressing issue facing the African continent: the need for improved mobility among its citizens.
The Visa Dilemma Experienced by Investors
During a conversation with businessman and philanthropist Mo Ibrahim, Africa’s wealthiest individual, Aliko Dangote, shared a startling insight: as an investor with factories across the continent, he carries six or seven passports to obtain the necessary visas for nearly 38 African countries. Despite being issued one of the rare African Union passports, allowing visa-free travel across all 55 member states, Dangote still faced visa challenges. Notably, when invited to Angola by the country’s president, he was still required to apply for a visa.
The Absurdity of Movement
This situation underscores a broader issue. Dangote, who invests billions in African infrastructure, surprisingly faces greater scrutiny at borders than many foreign visitors. At a forum in Kigali, he pointed out to a French executive that a French passport provided greater freedom of movement within Africa than his Nigerian passport, drawing attention to the absurdity of the current system.
Inconsistent Treatment of African Travelers
Personal experience resonates with this sentiment. As a business owner, I have traveled to numerous African countries for conferences, often facing unpredictable crossing experiences. While my invitations and bank statements served as proof of intent and capability, the process remained fraught with uncertainty. In contrast, a traveler from London or New York could buy a visa and be on their way in a matter of minutes, while I grappled with lengthy procedures. This dynamic reveals a troubling narrative: in Africa, locals often appear as suspects, while foreigners are treated as customers.
The Contradiction of Free Trade and Mobility
This irony feels particularly stark as we champion the African Continental Free Trade Area, a market that boasts a population of 1.4 billion and a total output near $3.4 trillion. Discussions center around regional value chains and the potential for enhanced mobility among youth and businesses. However, the African Development Bank’s recent Africa Visa Openness Index reveals a disheartening reality: only 28 percent of journeys between African countries are visa-free for citizens, and this figure has declined over time.
The Need for Action on Free Movement Protocols
The African Union’s Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, which was adopted in 2018 alongside the free trade agreement, offers a path forward. However, this protocol requires 15 ratifications to take effect; to date, only four countries—Mali, Niger, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Príncipe—have ratified it, with no new signatures since July 2019. For a continent that frequently speaks of integration, this lack of action is striking. Successful regional models, such as ECOWAS’s free movement guarantee across West Africa, show that integration is achievable. Countries such as Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, Benin, Kenya, and Ghana have demonstrated that fostering mobility does not harm economic stability.
Balancing Security and Mobility
Concerns about security are valid and deserve a measured response. However, mobility and security can coexist. Nations that have embraced openness have not abandoned border security; instead, they have leveraged technology such as digital pre-screening and shared traveler data to enhance safety without infringing on the rights of citizens. The choice isn’t solely between openness and security, but rather, moving forward with a modern approach to border management.
Final Thoughts on African Integration
We must accelerate processes like electronic visa issuance and ensure transparent systems for visa-on-arrival options for African passport holders. Instead of creating isolated frameworks, regional blocs like ECOWAS and the East African Community should become interconnected systems that promote seamless travel across the continent. Listening to the voices of those who traverse these borders—traders, entrepreneurs, students, and professionals—will illuminate the costs and delays caused by an outdated visa regime. These delays are not just inconveniences; they represent a significant tax on African aspirations, imposed by Africans on fellow Africans.
As we encourage young people to think of Africa as a united entity, it is imperative that we enable them to act accordingly. If we continue to hinder free movement, we risk alienating the very individuals who contribute to the continent’s progress. Africa’s unification will not emerge from rhetoric alone; it demands meaningful action toward mobility. Let us prioritize the movement of people, fostering a truly interconnected Africa.
*Kolawole Osinowo is a senior research fellow at the FATE Institute and a Public Voices Tackling Poverty Fellow, a collaboration between Acumen and The OpEd Project.
