Akufo-Addo Approves Visa-Free Entry for All African Nationals to Ghana

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has fulfilled his commitment to offer visa-free entry to citizens from all African countries, marking a historic step towards greater continental integration.

The decision, which was first announced during the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) in January 2024, aims to enhance the free movement of people, goods, and services across Africa, contributing to the realization of the African Union’s vision of economic unity.

With executive approval granted on December 18, 2024, the new visa-free policy is set to take effect before the end of Akufo-Addo’s term on January 6, 2025.

Ghana joins Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin as the only African countries offering unrestricted entry to all African passport holders. This initiative is a significant milestone in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to create the world’s largest single market, spanning 55 nations.

In his keynote address at the APD 2024, under the theme “Developing Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value, and Trade,” President Akufo-Addo reiterated Ghana’s dedication to promoting the visa-free initiative. He pointed out that many participants in the event had to go through the visa process, stressing the importance of removing such barriers to further unite Africa.

“The government of Ghana is committed to ensuring visa-free travel for all Africans, and the process has already begun,” Akufo-Addo assured the audience.

The policy has been officially communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, as well as the Ministry of the Interior, with preparations now underway for its implementation. The Ghana Immigration Service is expected to announce the official start date, anticipated to be January 1, 2025.

This progressive policy is expected to significantly boost business, tourism, and cultural exchange across the continent, cementing Ghana’s role as a leader in African unity and economic integration.

The move comes at a time when many African business leaders have voiced frustrations about restrictive visa policies. Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, recently highlighted the challenges of navigating visa requirements across the continent, revealing that as an investor, he often needs to apply for as many as 35 different visas.

Dangote’s comments underscore the barriers faced by African entrepreneurs and investors, who often find it easier to travel to Europe or the U.S. than to neighboring African countries.

As the host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana has long been a champion of a borderless Africa—a vision first articulated by the country’s founding president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. While some African nations, including Ethiopia, have faced criticism for their restrictive visa policies, Ghana’s visa-free entry policy sets a progressive example for the continent to follow.