Mahama’s Call for Free-Visa Movement in Africa: What It Could Mean for Ghanaians
- President John Mahama proposed the elimination of visa requirements among seven African nations to create a bloc that would foster trade and free movement
- YEN.com.gh discusses the potential impact on trade, tourism, and job opportunities, especially for youth and professionals
- Experts have raised concerns about border security, ECOWAS alignment, and implementation challenges
President John Dramani Mahama's recent announcement of a proposed seven-nation African free-movement bloc has sparked widespread discussion online.
Source: Facebook
Many Ghanaians have wondered about its potential benefits for the nation and the continent at large.
According to the president, the African free-movement initiative aims to eliminate visa requirements among the participating African nations.
It was unveiled during the 80th Anniversary Conference on the Fifth Pan-African Congress in Accra on November 18, 2025.
Mahama explained that the concept emerged from a conversation with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and is expected to start with formal letters sent to the leaders of the selected countries.
What Africa's free-movement agenda means for Ghana
At the time of filing this report, a Ghanaian passport holder can travel visa-free to at least 10 African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
For Ghana, the benefits of visa-free travel within Africa could be diverse. The free movement of people is expected to open new doors to drivers of economic growth, such as trade, tourism, and labour mobility.
This means business people can attend meetings, traders can move goods, and professionals can access work opportunities more easily.
Analysts believe Ghana’s hospitality and tourism sectors could see immediate gains. With easier entry, tourists from member countries are likely to travel more frequently for both leisure and cultural events.
Small businesses and artisans could also benefit, as reduced travel costs and paperwork encourage regional trade.
Many presidents in different African nations have also shown their support for eliminating visa requirements within the continent.
The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, while speaking to the press, spoke about moving freely across borders.
Watch the video of his speech below:
Labour mobility could help address Ghana's rising youth unemployment. Skilled professionals may find opportunities in partner nations, while students could access academic exchanges and regional scholarships with fewer barriers.
Challenges in eliminating visa requirements within Africa
While the announcement has drawn praise, experts also caution that implementation may face bureaucratic, security, and infrastructural challenges.
Issues such as border management, identity verification, and reciprocal rights need clear frameworks to ensure smooth execution.
There are also concerns about how the initiative will align with existing regional bodies like ECOWAS, which already promotes free movement but still faces enforcement gaps.
President Mahama expressed optimism that the bloc will eventually expand to include more African nations, fostering deeper unity.
In his words:
“We expect that as others agree and join, we shall welcome them into our league, until finally, we have an Africa where our people can move freely, without obstruction."
As Ghanaians await further details from President Mahama, many are hopeful that this bold step may usher in a new era of regional cooperation, prosperity, and solidarity.
Source: Getty Images
UK allows student-to-founder visa switch
YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that the United Kingdom opened a pathway for African students to switch to the innovator founder visa without returning home.
This is an effective transformation of the entrepreneurial landscape for thousands of Ghanaians schooling in the United Kingdom.
This policy is effective November 25, 2025. It would eliminate a long-standing barrier, enabling seamless transitions for ambitious graduates eager to launch startups in Britain.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
