Why Africa needs a continental passport

The African Passport is due to be launched at the African Union Summit in Kigali by Heads of State and Government, on Sunday, with experts lauding it as a key ingredient that will help in the stabilisation of economies and strengthen integration. On Sunday, it is expected that that the Pan-African passport will be symbolically handed to African Heads of State and Government in Kigali—with hope that they will go on to distribute them to citizens in their respective countries. Speaking separately at the Summit, officials touted the passport as a gateway to more investments and business opportunities through stronger integration of African states. Louise Mushikiwabo, the minister for foreign affairs, told journalists, yesterday, that Rwanda has moved ahead in popularising the passport, with the modalities already in place to print and issue the sophisticated travel document sooner rather than later. “The time has come for the popularisation process of African passport to start,” Mushikiwabo said. Fatima Haram Acyl, the AU commissioner for trade and industry, said it would ease movement of labour and services. “Goods do not move themselves, they move with people. Today, it is very easy for a foreigner to come to Africa than any African to travel around his continent, it’s a problem even for a serious investor with investment plans,’’ she said. According to Acyl, it takes lengthy bureaucracy in different countries to process a visa that only discourages potential investors seeking quick negotiations with respected parties in different governments. “We really want to address the movement of all people, we won’t restrict ourselves to the Heads of State, ministers of foreign affairs, and ambassadors.” Acyl said the Commission decided to give the passports to countries to issue them to the citizens to popularise them. Rwanda, Mali, Ghana and other seven countries have made it easy for African travellers to acquire visa on arrival at the airport or any border point rather than before travelling. The absence of the common passport, according to Acyl, has left the continent lagging behind in freedom of movement. The same passport will push countries to also establish uniformity in the issuance of work permits, according to Anthony Mothae Maruping, AU commissioner for economic affairs. Mushikiwabo said delays to put in place seamless visa regime across the continent have hindered socio-economic integration. “The African passport represents the roadmap through which we seek to move African integration. From Kigali, we expect that countries will start on modalities and enter into discussions with the AU Commission to print each country’s Pan-African passport,” Mushikiwabo said. Integration, ballooning economies According to Maruping, African countries integration is meant to boost free trading zones, and facilitate peace, stability and economic growth, but the route is still long for economies to stabilise and to generate returns for the real needy people. “In areas where we see booming economy there is more work to be done because they do not reach the deprived people, that is why there is need for actual growth of economy based on job creation, distribution of energy and relevant infrastructure,” Maruping said. To Maruping, regional integration is key to economic stability and sustainable growth as per Agenda 2063. “Under Agenda 2063, well integrated regional markets with efficient infrastructure will attract investment and facilitate business, enhance employment creation and revenues as well as access to improved quality goods and services,” he added. Agenda 2063 envisages a prosperous continent with inclusive growth, sustainable development; a continent that stands on ideals of Pan-Africanism of unity, peace and security. It also highlights good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice, and rule of law, among other things. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Why Africa needs a continental passport