ACCRA, Ghana (BG) – Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced the approval of visa-free entry to Ghana for all African nationals, starting in 2025, local media reported on Wednesday.

The move underscores Ghana’s commitment to fostering greater African unity and mobility within the continent.

With this policy, Ghana joins a select group of African countries — including Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin — that allow visa-free entry for all African passport holders.

The decision is a significant step toward enhancing regional integration and bolstering African economic cooperation.

The visa-free policy aligns with Ghana’s role as a champion of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), headquartered in the capital Accra.

AfCFTA aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa, boosting intra-African trade and promoting economic growth.

By removing travel restrictions for African nationals, Ghana seeks to complement the goals of AfCFTA by facilitating the free movement of people — a critical factor in achieving the agreement’s ambitious trade and development objectives.

Experts say the policy could lead to increased tourism, business opportunities, and cultural exchanges, all of which are vital to the broader goals of AfCFTA.

However, some analysts also note that the success of visa-free policies depends on investments in border infrastructure and security to manage potential challenges such as illegal immigration and cross-border crime.

As the 2025 implementation date approaches, Ghanaian officials are expected to work closely with stakeholders to ensure the policy’s smooth rollout, solidifying Ghana’s position as a leader in African integration and cooperation.

Many Africans Took to Social Media to Celebrate the Move

“This policy isn’t just about visas; it’s about breaking barriers that have long hindered intra-African trade, tourism, and unity,” Henry Osabutey, Board Member of the Pan African Leadership Awards, said in a LinkedIn Post.

Osabutey added that the policy opens up larger markets for goods and services for young entrepreneurs, making it easier to network, collaborate, and establish businesses across borders.

He said Ghanaian creatives, artisans, and professionals will now be able to forge stronger connections with their peers across Africa, enriching their craft and building sustainable livelihoods.

“…I hope all African countries follow this path. We need free movement across Africa and when I say free movement, I don’t mean movement with no control of what’s coming in and going out. I mean a visa free movement and control,” @rudeboy_jnr posted on X-formerly Twitter.

Another X user posted: “… We’ll have more people in Africa coming to invest in Ghana without any visa constraints. This is something that the whole continent is embracing, not Ghana alone. That there’ll be free trade within Africa.”