African countries are increasingly embracing e-visas to simplify cross-border travel and enhance regional connectivity, according to the 2024 Visa Openness Index released by the African Development Bank Group and the African Union.
The number of countries offering e-visas has dramatically increased from just 9 in 2016 to 26 in the latest report. Experts view this trend as a crucial step towards regional integration and economic growth, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Tanatsiwa Dambuza, a Zimbabwean researcher, noted that while e-visas represent progress, they also highlight the continent’s hesitation to fully embrace a visa-free system. “E-visas are one step towards achieving regional integration and free movement of people,” he explained. “Without free movement of people, there is no free movement of goods.”
Key advantages of e-visas include:
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- Online application from anywhere
- No need to visit an embassy
- No passport surrender
- Time and cost savings
- Reduced travel complications
In 2024, Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and the Seychelles lead the rankings. Notably, 16 of the top 20 countries are evenly split between West and East Africa, with 18 classified as lower-middle-income or low-income nations.
Some remarkable improvements were highlighted:
- Sierra Leone now grants visa-free access to citizens of 15 countries (up from 13 in 2023)
- Angola has doubled its visa-free access, adding nine countries to its list
- Angola offers e-visa processing within three working days
Regional economic blocs are also making significant strides:
- ECOWAS leads with 99% of countries offering visa-free entry for Africans
- Arab Maghreb Union: 70% visa openness
- Southern African Development Community (SADC): 60% visa openness
- East African Community (EAC): 54% visa openness
Experts caution that sustainable e-visa implementation requires:
- Strong digital infrastructure
- Robust security systems
- Encrypted online platforms
- Political will
Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, emphasized the importance of mobility, stating, “We cannot say we have borderless trade when we put up barriers for people to travel.”
While e-visas represent significant progress, the ultimate goal remains a truly visa-free continent that facilitates seamless movement and economic integration across Africa.
Bird Story Agency is a specialist news agency driven by the resolve to project Africa by telling positive stories about the continent.
