As part of the 38th African Union (AU) Summit, the AU and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are organizing a high-level strategic dialogue entitled “Accelerating Visa-Free Movement for Africa’s Transformation.” This flagship event aims to boost the continent’s economic and social integration by promoting the free movement of people—a key pillar enshrined in the Abuja Treaty, the AU Agenda 2063, and the Protocol on Free Movement of People.
A Conducive Context for Continental Transformation
Despite strong political commitments in favor of intra-African mobility, the implementation of visa-free policies remains uneven across the continent. To measure progress and pinpoint areas for improvement, the AfDB and the AU have established the Africa Visa Openness Index. Its ninth edition highlights the urgent need for decisive action to unlock Africa’s economic potential and accelerate regional development.
A High-Level Event in Addis Ababa
The dialogue will take place on February 12, 2025, at the Marriott Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 08:30 to 17:00 (UTC +2). It will bring together key decision-makers and influential figures from government, economic, and academic sectors. Among the participants will be:
- Ambassador Cessouma Minata Samate, AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development,
- Nnenna Nwabufo, AfDB Vice President for Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery,
- His Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat,
- Ministers from AU member states including Rwanda, The Gambia, Seychelles, Benin, and Ghana,
- Business leaders from strategic sectors, including representatives from Afrochampions, Ethiopian Airlines, AeTrade Group, and TradeMark Africa.
Crucial Themes for Africa’s Future
The strategic dialogue will address several key areas to accelerate the continent’s transformation:
- The Benefits of Visa-Free Movement: Showcasing the successes of pioneering countries ranked highly in the Africa Visa Openness Index.
- The Role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs): Exploring how these structures not only facilitate mobility but also contribute to economic prosperity.
- Private Sector Perspectives: Analyzing the impact of visa openness on trade, investment, and business expansion.
- Policy Insights: Discussing the alignment of mobility policies with the AU Agenda 2063 and AfCFTA, emphasizing their strategic importance for cohesive economic integration.
- Next Steps: Introducing the 2025 “Visa-Free Roadshow,” an ambitious campaign designed to strengthen commitments and turn promises into tangible realities.
A Catalyst for African Transformation
This strategic dialogue represents a unique opportunity for policymakers, economic leaders, and development partners to collaborate on concrete solutions to overcome the barriers to intra-African mobility. By sharing successful experiences and addressing current challenges, the event aims to reinforce visa-free policies—an essential element in unleashing the continent’s economic potential and realizing the vision of a united, prosperous, and integrated Africa.
Through this initiative, the African Union and the African Development Bank reaffirm their commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, placing free movement at the heart of the continent’s transformational strategies. The outcomes of this dialogue promise to inject new momentum into regional integration, a critical factor in addressing the economic and social challenges of the 21st century.
