Mahama Govt Pushes Bold Visa-Free Africa Plan | By Priscilla Mba |The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Julius Debrah, has called for urgent steps to remove visa restrictions across the African continent, stressing that a borderless Africa is key to unlocking the full potential of intra-African tourism and trade.
“Visa barriers fragment our shared African identity,” he said. “The Mahama government envisions a continent where Africans travel freely, boosting trade, tourism, and unity. Tourism already contributes over US$190 billion annually to Africa’s GDP, and a visa-free Africa could double intra-African tourism, create jobs, and strengthen local economies.”
The Chief of Staff’s remarks come at a time when many Africans are grappling with the harsh realities of mass deportations from the United States and increasing difficulty in securing visas to Europe. Analysts say this underscores the need for African governments to prioritise continental mobility and tourism integration.
He was speaking at the launch of the Trans-African Tourism and Unity Campaign in Accra on Monday, August 18, 2025. The Trans-African Tourism and Unity Campaign, spearheaded by former legislator and Pan-Africanist Ras Mubarak, will see participants embark on a 40,000-kilometre road journey across 39 countries in 163 days. The campaign, endorsed by the Government of Ghana and aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, advocates for a fully visa-free Africa by 2030.
“This campaign is a movement to reclaim Africa’s narrative through open borders and shared prosperity,” Ras Mubarak told participants. “History will honour leaders who act decisively to unite Africa. A visa-free Africa by 2030 is not just a dream — it is a necessity.”
The initiative will feature high-level meetings with African Heads of Government, press briefings, cultural showcases, and stakeholder engagements designed to position tourism as a tool for unity, youth empowerment, and economic inclusion.
By beginning the journey in Ghana, organisers say the campaign underscores the country’s leadership in advancing Pan-African tourism, building on the legacy of Ghana’s “Year of Return” and “Beyond the Return” initiatives that have drawn global attention and investment.
Industry watchers believe that if adopted, a visa-free policy could position Africa as a more attractive destination for both business and leisure, especially at a time when barriers to entry in the West are mounting.
Mahama Govt Pushes Bold Visa-Free Africa Plan | AviationGhana
