LIVE UPDATES
As the world takes steps towards globalisation and increased interconnectedness, the African continent stands at a crossroads striving for economic growth, cultural exchange, and regional integration.
However, a significant stumbling block on this path is the arduous process that many Africans face when attempting to travel within their own continent.
The barriers to intra-continental travel are not limited to logistics and infrastructure but also include the challenging visa requirements that hinder the mobility of African citizens within their own borders.
In 2018, the African Union launched the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with the aim of creating a single market for goods and services, free movement of people, and enhancing economic cooperation across the continent.
Despite these ambitious goals, the reality on the ground paints a different picture, with many Africans confronted by a maze of bureaucratic hurdles when seeking to obtain visas to travel within their own continent.
The Visa Conundrum
One of the primary obstacles facing African travelers is the restrictive visa policies imposed by many African countries.
While some nations have made significant strides towards easing visa requirements for African citizens, others continue to uphold stringent regulations that impede intra-continental travel. These policies not only deter tourism and business opportunities but also hinder cultural exchange and regional cooperation.
Challenges Faced by Africans
Africans seeking to travel within their own continent often encounter a myriad of challenges in obtaining visas.
High visa fees, long processing times, ambiguous application requirements, and inconsistent visa policies across different African countries contribute to the complexity of the visa application process.
Additionally, the lack of diplomatic representation in certain regions further exacerbates the difficulties faced by African travelers.
Case Studies
Aliko Dangote despite being Africa's wealthiest man faces significant challenges traveling within his own continent. As an investor seeking to promote Africa's development, he must apply for 35 different visas, a process he finds time-consuming and frustrating.
Dangote's experience highlights the broader issue of Africans facing more hurdles to travel in Africa compared to visitors with European passports, which often have greater visa-free access.
While some African countries, such as Rwanda, Benin, The Gambia, and Seychelles, have eliminated visa requirements for all African nationals, many others still impose restrictive visa policies, leading to discrimination, hostility, and high fees for Africans traveling within their own continent.
Also according to CNN report, a Nigerian travel filmmaker Tayo Aina, was forced to provide a stool sample in front of an Ethiopian immigration officer to confirm he had not ingested any drugs when he landed in Addis Ababa in April 2021, which he described as his most humiliating travel experience within Africa.
Aina, who has also been detained at airports in Kenya and South Africa due to his Nigerian passport, was forced to purchase a passport from the Caribbean country of St Kitts and Nevis for $150,000 to travel more freely, as he has encountered cases where people were deported upon arrival due to policy changes.
The African Union aims to remove restrictions on Africans' ability to travel, work, and live within their own continent, but implementation has been slow.
In a recent survey conducted by a leading African travel agency, it was revealed that a significant number of African travelers experienced difficulties in obtaining visas for intra-continental travel.
Fresh Bottlenecks in moving freely as Africans on African continent
Navigating freely within Africa has faced several challenges, including:
1. Visa Restrictions: Many African countries require visas for entry, often with cumbersome processes and fees. This can hinder the ability to move freely within the continent.
2. Poor Infrastructure: Limited transportation infrastructure, such as roads, railways, and airports, can restrict movement within and between African countries.
3. Border Controls: Stringent border controls, bureaucracy, and corruption at border crossings can slow down movement and increase costs for travelers.
4. Intra-continental Travel Costs: Flights between African countries can be expensive, making it prohibitive for many Africans to travel within the continent.
5. Security Concerns: Political instability, conflicts, and security concerns in some regions can deter travel and restrict movement within the continent.
6. Language Barriers: Africa's linguistic diversity can present challenges for travelers moving between countries where different languages are spoken.
7. Lack of Pan-African Identity: Without a strong sense of pan-African identity and unity, there may be barriers to movement and integration within the continent.
