Visa-Free Africa by 2030? All Eyes on Nigeria to Lead the Charge
NlGERIA — Leaders of the Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign are urging Nigeria to spearhead Africa’s visa-free travel efforts to boost tourism, trade, and regional integration.
The appeal was made on August 22 in Abuja by campaign leader Ras Mubarak, whose team is on a 40,000-kilometre journey across 39 African countries.
During the Abuja stop, Mubarak said Africa must urgently eliminate colonial-era visa restrictions that continue to divide nations and limit economic growth.
He emphasized the campaign’s goal: promoting free movement for 1.4 billion Africans under the banners #OpenAfrica and #OpenOpportunities.
“Our mission is clear: to dismantle the visa barriers that fragment our continent, stifle tourism, and hinder the free movement of 1.4 billion Africans,” he said.
Abuja was chosen as a strategic location not only because it is Nigeria’s capital, but also due to its role as the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)..
Highlighting Nigeria’s influence, Mubarak called on authorities to expand visa-on-arrival policies, simplify mobility protocols, and support the African Union’s Free Movement Protocol.
“We call on Nigeria, a giant of our continent, to lead by example,” he said.
He also praised the city’s urban planning and environmental standards, saying it reflects what African capitals can achieve through sustainability and order.
“Abuja is not just Nigeria’s capital—it is a beacon of what Africa can achieve when we embrace order, sustainability, and pride in our shared heritage,” Mubarak added.
Mubarak urged Nigeria to leverage its cultural vibrancy and market appeal to attract more visitors and position itself as a gateway for intra-African tourism.
“You are renowned for your vibrant energy—use it to tell the world of Abuja’s beauty, its markets, its culture. Let us make Nigeria a gateway for tourism, driving economic growth and unity,” he said.
The Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign is currently collecting signatures for a petition demanding a visa-free Africa by 2030.
As the team departed for the next leg of their journey, Mubarak issued a call to action to citizens across Africa.
“We urge Africans to join us in building a continent where we move as one, trade as one, and dream as one,” he said.
-Herald
