The 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) is set to be launched today, November 25, 2024, during the African Economic Conference (AEC) in Gaborone, Botswana. Jointly organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this year’s conference is themed “Securing Africa’s Economic Future Amidst Rising Uncertainty.”
The AVOI, produced in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) since 2016, tracks the progress of African countries in easing visa restrictions and promoting the free movement of people across the continent. The 2024 report highlights mixed results, with some countries making notable progress in simplifying cross-border travel while others have fallen behind.
The launch of the index aligns with discussions on fostering economic integration as Africa advances toward the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Officials emphasize the need for people-centered integration to drive the success of AfCFTA. “Integration that is not people-centered is bound to fail,” one representative stressed, calling for the removal of barriers to mobility across the continent.
A key focus of the report is the 2018 Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, signed by 30 African countries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The protocol, which seeks to liberalize movement in three phases—the right of entry, the right of residence, and the right of establishment—has the potential to boost trade, investment, and employment opportunities. However, only four countries—Mali, Niger, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Principe—have ratified the protocol, raising concerns about Africa’s commitment to opening borders to fellow Africans.
Today’s launch will not only unveil the latest findings of the AVOI but also explore strategies to enhance visa openness. The report underscores the critical role of visa liberalization in facilitating intra-African trade, labor mobility, and economic growth, particularly in the context of global uncertainties.
Since its inception in 2006, the African Economic Conference has served as a platform for research, policy dialogue, and knowledge exchange on key issues affecting Africa. The 2024 edition of the conference continues this tradition by addressing pressing topics such as economic integration, the continent’s response to global challenges, and sustainable development.
As the AVOI is launched, attention will turn to African leaders and their commitment to breaking down barriers and advancing the continent’s vision of unity and economic prosperity.
