Thursday, 31 March 2016

Visa Worries For Africans Eased Some How

Africa is a huge, and often friendly, continent where most countries will welcome visitors with a broad smile – knowing that the tourist spend will be great for the economy.

But Africans, funnily enough, find it hard getting about their own continent. However, Ghana’s new visa-on-arrival policy for citizens of African Union (AU) member states, to be introduced from July, could mark a change in pan-African policy.

To this end, Ghana is taking a lead in implementing an AU directive but it will be interesting to see how many other African countries will be allowing Ghanaians to enter their countries on a visa-on arrival policy.

Anyone who has tried to cross borders on the African continent will have experienced the difficulties with travelling in Africa. For starters, air fares cost more than anywhere else and few roads or railways connect even adjoining countries to each other.

Then there are the dreaded immigration and police check points which can turn the simplest of journeys into massive obstacle courses.

Getting visas for travel is often the greatest hurdle to travel and any country that makes it easier for Africans to visit will, as a result, become very attractive as a holiday destination.

According to the African Development Bank (AfDB) to travel to other countries in Africa, Africans need visas to enter 55% of states on the continent and only 20% of nations allow Africans to enter without visas, with a further 25% offering visas on arrival.

How does this break down for Africans? Well, Seychelles is the only African nation to offer open access to all Africans. Regionally, West African and East African states do well, making up 75% of the top 20 most open countries. Only one North African country managed to make the top 20 and none from Central Africa.

The AfDB suggests visa-free regional blocs, multi-year visas, promoting positive reciprocity and opening up on visas unilaterally. Beyond that, Many African countries can simplify visa processes and improve online access to information.

Quite simply, Africa needs to find ways to increase intra-African travel with the aim of fostering unity and understanding and increasing trade and investment.

North Americans have an easier time travelling to and within the continent than do Africans, needing a visa to travel to just 45% of African countries. They can get a visa on arrival in 35% of countries and no visa is required for another 20%.

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