If you possess just one African passport for leisure or business travel, discussions about open borders will certainly grab your attention, as every Nigerian knows better what it feels like to hold and travel with that green passport. Those who have traveled between continents and navigated customs at various airports are already aware of the concept known as passport privilege. In a nutshell, the type of passport you hold significantly influences how you are treated.
This is why the Africa Visa Open Index is a crucial initiative for making the African continent more accessible to Africans. More discussions on these reports need to be had across different platforms within Africa and social media spaces. This should not be another report or index waiting to be outdated.
"That Africans continue to require visas for the most part to enter other African countries is one of the most profound contradictions to the continent’s aspirations on regional integration. One thing is clear – Africa will not meet its development aspirations in the absence of regimes that promote mobility across the continent - Dr. Joy Kategekwa Director, Regional Integration, African Development Bank Group.
The Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) evaluates the level of visa accessibility within African countries by examining the requirements they impose on travelers from other African nations. Its goal is to provide a clear overview of how countries are supporting movement across the continent, including whether they grant visa-free entry, offer visas upon arrival, or require travelers to obtain a visa in advance. The AVOI launched in 2016 is a collaborative effort between the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), McKinsey & Company and the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council for Africa (WEF GAC).
Visa openness is a crucial step toward achieving greater integration across Africa. Countries and regions can unlock significant benefits by adopting more flexible visa policies for fellow Africans. These include addressing skills shortages in the workforce, fostering entrepreneurship, diversifying economies, enhancing service value, and attracting investment, all of which contribute to increased competitiveness. Some countries offer e-visas (electronic visas), others offer visas on arrival, and some require that you hold a traditional visa before boarding the plane. Your visa type depends on the passport you carry, hence your country of origin.
The traditional visa is usually done at the destination country's embassy or consulate before departure or online application, often requiring an interview and submission of supporting documents like travel tickets, bank statements, and health insurance proof. In some instances, the embassy requests the applicant’s passport after the application is approved and is attached to it and returned. Many applicants use visa services to handle the logistics in the present and the past. This process can be complex and time-consuming.
In countries that provide a visa on arrival, travelers can apply for a visa from immigration authorities upon reaching the destination, whether at the airport or land border. Applicants need to understand any limitations, as not all travelers or types of visits may be eligible. For instance, a country might only offer tourist or transit visas on arrival, excluding business visas, or limit the option to short stays or specific nationalities. The main advantages of a visa on arrival are the absence of pre-application requirements, simpler logistics, and lower costs.
An e-visa is a digital alternative to the traditional visa, where the entire application process is conducted online. Applicants fill out a form providing their details, as well as the purpose and duration of their visit, and upload digital copies of supporting documents. Some countries restrict e-visas to certain nationalities, particularly during the initial phase of their e-visa system. For instance, South Africa launched its e-visa in February 2022, initially offering it to applicants from 14 countries, half of which are located in Africa.
Over time, the number of African countries offering visa-on-arrival or e-visa options to other Africans has improved, as this cuts down the hassle of the time-consuming traditional visa application process. The 2022 AVOI report indicated that "24 African countries offered travelers the option of an e-visa, up from nine countries in 2016".
The 2023 report indicated that 50 countries either improved or maintained their scores from 2022, with just 4 countries seeing a decline. Since the inaugural report in 2016, 36 countries have made progress on the index. Forty-two countries now offer visa-free entry to citizens of at least five other African nations, while 33 extend this privilege to citizens of ten or more countries. Four countries—Rwanda, Benin, The Gambia, and Seychelles—have removed all visa requirements for African travelers, up from three last year. Key metrics showed positive trends in 2023. In 28% of intra-Africa travel scenarios, African citizens can travel visa-free, a slight increase from 27% in 2022 and 20% in 2016. Meanwhile, 46% of travel scenarios still require a visa, a decrease from 47% in 2022 and 55% in 2016.
The 2024 report, which was launched on November 25, 2024, in Botswana, showed that 17 of the 54 countries on the African continent have improved their AVOI score over the past year. The report mentions that numerous countries have made changes to their visa policies. Some have taken significant steps by introducing positive reforms that contribute to a more open Africa. Many of these adjustments have been made through bilateral agreements, often on a reciprocal basis, and appear to be part of a coordinated effort. In other cases, the policy shifts have been more subtle, yet still provide clear benefits, particularly with the introduction of e-visas. This offers some good news for travelers with African passports, even though the report also indicates that as progress is being made, some countries have reviewed their visa policies to tighten up their requirements.
The report mentions that some policy changes have introduced new barriers that complicate travel, making it more difficult for certain citizens. These changes are often driven by domestic or foreign policies, political, security, or other considerations. For instance, in 2024, several countries removed the option for visas on arrival, requiring travelers to secure a visa (either traditional or electronic) before their journey. Additionally, many countries have adopted new technologies and digitized immigration processes, which, while aiming to improve efficiency, have added extra requirements for travelers, hindering ease of movement. The introduction of Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) in some countries is an example of this trend.
An example is how the new ETA requirement has made visits to places like Kenya more challenging as visa-exempt countries to Kenya have now been restricted to 6, which was previously 51 nationalities. Kenya, a popular tourist destination for Africans, is now ranked 46 with a score of 0.113 in the 2024 report compared to the 2023 report, where it scored 0.396. On the flip side, countries like Rwanda with no visa restrictions for Africans have become popular destinations for conferences, but Rwanda has also introduced ETA which may complicate travels for some Africans depending on the passport in your hand.
What Next?
In the words of Dr. Albert Muchanga, the African Union’s Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry, and Mining
“Balancing security with inclusivity remains a challenge, but the goal of a truly open Africa continues to inspire.”
The Africa Visa Openness Index is a sign of progress for the African continent, regardless of the challenges of having a large population of poor people. As the report shows, of the 17 countries that have improved their visa openness scores over the past year, a significant number are from lower-income regions. Nine of the top 20 performers are from low-income countries, including six from West Africa, two from East Africa, and two from Southern Africa. This progress indicates that even nations with limited resources are starting to recognize the economic and social advantages of relaxing border restrictions. As a Nigerian, I am super proud of this knowing how often we are found at the middle or bottom of most indexes.
Holding a Nigerian passport, my initial concern is the level of freedom and ease with which I can travel across Africa before worrying about my treatment in Europe or North America, as charity begins at home. Our engagements within the continent are vital, It is foundational in helping us to build confidence and bragging rights about how we are treated elsewhere. At this point, the question arises: why is the African continent NOT entirely visa-free for Africans?
Traveling across Africa remains more challenging and costly compared to traveling across the European Union or from Africa to other global regions. These are critical issues because, given the continent's economic condition, the last thing we need is unnecessary restrictions on the movement of people and goods.