For decades, Africans have spoken about unity, integration and a shared continental identity.
African countries are beginning to make it easier for Africans to move across the continent without visas, expensive applications or unnecessary restrictions.
This story is written and edited by Global South World
For decades, Africans have spoken about unity, integration and a shared continental identity. Leaders have signed agreements, attended summits and delivered speeches about Pan-Africanism. But now, some countries are finally beginning to translate those ideas into policy.
This year alone, Togo announced visa-free access for all African passport holders. That means Africans can enter the country without going through a visa application process. Ghana also introduced a free e-visa initiative during its Africa Day celebrations.
While the policy still requires travellers to apply before arrival, the application itself comes at no cost. The distinction matters because one removes the process entirely, while the other removes the financial burden.
Additionally, at the African Development Bank meetings in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo announced that from January 2027, Africans will no longer need visas to enter the country.
“As from the first of January 2027, nationals of all African countries will have visa-free access and will no longer need a visa to come to Congo,” President Denis Sassou-Nguesso said.
Rwanda, Benin, Seychelles and The Gambia have already made similar moves in recent years, signalling a broader continental shift toward freer African movement.
But while many countries are opening doors, South Africa appears to be tightening its own.
In recent months, tensions surrounding African migrants and foreign-owned businesses have intensified in parts of South Africa. Groups of protesters and vigilantes have marched through cities such as Johannesburg, Durban and Pretoria, accusing other Africans of contributing to unemployment, crime and economic hardship. Some businesses owned by fellow Africans have reportedly been attacked or threatened during these demonstrations.
This contrast has created an uncomfortable conversation across the continent.
South Africa’s concerns are not entirely disconnected from reality. The country faces serious economic pressures, including high unemployment, inequality and frustration among many citizens who feel left behind. But the challenge lies in how those frustrations are directed. When economic hardship turns into hostility against fellow Africans, it raises difficult questions about continental solidarity.
This article was originally published by Global South World and is republished here with permission. View the original article.
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