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Travel across Africa remains challenging despite years of promises to ease movement between countries. For instance, the African Union’s 2018 Protocol on Free Movement of Persons has been ratified by only four of 55 member states, leaving much of the continent’s mobility restricted. However, a more practical approach is now gaining momentum, as reflected in the African Development Bank’s Visa Openness Index, which shows visa-free travel rose from 20% in 2016 to 28% today. Researchers now suggest that the most effective path forward is through incremental, multi-layered reforms. Instead of waiting for a single continent-wide solution, they propose targeted pilot programs. These could include allowing freer movement for specific groups, such as skilled professionals and cross-border traders. By building on these smaller, successful initiatives, Africa can gradually piece together a more integrated future, turning a lofty ambition into a tangible reality.
The Conversation