EDITORIAL: African countries should embrace free movement

Ghana has announced that there will be no visa restrictions for Rwandan nationals visiting the country. The same could not be said for other African countries who waive visa requirements for visitors from the West but set restrictive conditions for their African neighbours. The African Development Bank (AfDB) says intra-African movement is so restrictive that it impedes economic growth and is a hindrance to the tourism sector. It highlights Rwanda’s decision in 2013 to allow visa on arrival for nationals of all African countries as the most liberal on the continent. This has not only contributed to regional integration but has also boosted trade and tourism. Only four other countries on the continent have similar visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies for African nationals: Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique and Seychelles. Ironically, the most dangerous country to visit, Somalia, has the most draconian visa policies. It does not make sense that while trading blocs such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the East African Community (EAC) have free movement among member countries, the same could not be said for the larger COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) grouping. AfDB has been at pains to explain to African countries that relaxing migratory policies has more benefits than putting in place more hurdles. In Rwanda’s case, it says its liberal policies have seen a 24 per cent increase in tourism from African countries and a 50 per cent rise in trade with neighbours. Opening up, and not shutting the door, is Africa’s only salvation. Isolation will just compound the trade barriers that are doing more to entrench poverty under the guise of misplaced sovereignty.

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EDITORIAL: African countries should embrace free movement