In collaboration with the African Union Commission and the World Economic Forum (WEF), the African Development Bank launched the second Index of Visa Openness in Africa.
This Index ranks the level of openness of African countries according to the requirements imposed on African citizens to obtain an entry visa to a given African country.
The report provides an overview of countries that facilitate the movement of nationals of other African countries. It discusses the measures taken and whether African citizens are allowed to enter countries without a visa, if they can obtain the visa on arrival or if they must have the visa before traveling.
Overall, Africans were able to travel more freely across the continent in 2016 as the level of openness of African countries improved compared to 2015. However, many challenges remain. Many regional differences persist in terms of openness to visas. For example, 75% of the 20 most open countries are in East and West Africa, while 20% are in Southern Africa. Mauritania is the only ranked country in North Africa and none of Central Africa is among the top 20.
That said, a lot of progress has been made in 2016. Tunisia gained 13 places compared to 2015. Seychelles again dominate the ranking and remain the only country to offer visa-free entry for all Africans. Ghana, ranked 6th, has made the most progress in opening its borders to African travelers, gaining 16 places compared to 2015. Senegal, ranked 15th in 2016, also includes the top 20 most open countries, winning thus 9 places compared to 2015.
The priority now is to maintain this trend and implement the decision of the African Union on the issuance of visas upon arrival by all African countries to all African citizens. A liberal visa policy in Africa can contribute to people-centered African integration and provide travel, trade, leisure, education and employment opportunities for all Africans.
Source: Press
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