Rwanda’s visa-free policy for all Africans

Rwandan President Paul Kagame made a visa-free announcement in Kigali, the country’s capital, last month while noting Rwanda as a tourist destination at the 23rd global summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The announcement makes Rwanda the fifth African country to allow citizens of the continent visa-free travel to the country.

The announcement has merit since there is a probability of spurring innovation and drawing foreign investment to the country. The move demonstrates Rwanda’s dedication to creating an atmosphere that is conducive to business and removing obstacles that frequently impede economic expansion. This action sends a strong message to the rest of Africa, demonstrating that accepting open borders can spur development and regional and continental integration.

Visa-free access encourages cross-border collaboration and facilitates the free flow of ideas. Professionals, researchers, and entrepreneurs can now interact easily, encouraging innovation and knowledge sharing. The approach has the potential to transform Rwanda into a hub for creativity and entrepreneurship.

An open door for investment

Rwandan President Paul Kagame stated during the announcement, “Let there be no mistake about it. Any African can get on a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish and will not pay a thing to enter our country.”

Stating further that “we should not lose sight of our own continental market, Africans are the future of global tourism as our middle class continues to grow at a fast pace in the decades to come. We must work closely together with partners, like the WTTC, to continue developing Africa into a premium destination for global travel.”

The above statements by President Kagame implied that investors, too, stand to benefit significantly from visa-free policies. This is because adopting open borders isn’t just about promoting travel; it’s about creating an atmosphere where talent and capital can move freely, fostering economic prosperity across the continent.

Thus, the visa-free policy of Rwanda presents a considerable opportunity for investors and is capable of making the country a more appealing location for capital, and the business environment in the country will become easier to navigate for both foreign and local investors, which promotes economic growth.

As the global landscape becomes increasingly interconnected, Africa must adapt to stay competitive. As a practical step towards regional integration, visa-free travel is yet another path that can encourage business cooperation and cross-cultural interaction. It’s evidence for the idea that human mobility is essential to advancement.

In a study published by the New South Institute, Africa is termed “a continent of origin, transit, and destination for migrants. There are many reasons for migration in Africa, such as conflict, poverty, environmental degradation, and education opportunities, but the most important drivers are economic. Migration can contribute to economic growth and development, both in origin countries and in destination countries, by facilitating the transfer of skills, knowledge, and remittances.

“In 2020, African countries accommodated a total of 25.4 million international migrants, including many who originated in other African countries. This reflected a 62% increase from 1990, when the continent’s immigrant stock stood at 15.7 million people. Over the same period, the stock of international migrants who originated in Africa increased by 97%, from 20.6 million to 40.6 million. The number of intra-African migrants—those who had migrated between African countries—rose by 56%, from a low of 13.4 million to a high of 20.9 million. 82% of all African immigrants are intra-African migrants, as are 52% of all African emigrants. Most migrants are young, and male migrants marginally outnumber female migrants; in 2020, 53% of international migrants in Africa were male.”

All in all, the above implies that Africa should embrace the concept of free movement because it aligns with the broader vision of regional integration and continental unity. If all African nations can embrace visa-free policies, they could contribute to the dismantling of historical barriers that have impeded intra-African trade and cooperation. The resulting interconnectedness can lead to the creation of a more resilient and collaborative continent, where shared prosperity becomes a reality.

Why should other African nations follow suit?

Although the African continent has made improvements in aspects of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement that deal with trade and investment, there hasn’t been much headway on the free movement of people. It is apparent that more freedom of movement is necessary for the trade agreement to succeed.

African Union policies reinforce freer intracontinental trade, investment, and movement of people to stimulate the continent’s economic, social, and political development. But it appears that some African nations are still lagging.

However, the impact of Rwanda’s visa-free announcement extends far beyond its borders. It serves as a compelling chance for other African nations to reevaluate their visa policies. The principles of free movement emphasize the importance of allowing individuals to traverse borders without unnecessary hindrances. A harmonized approach to visa-free access across the continent can unlock unprecedented opportunities for collective prosperity.

Facilitating travel throughout Africa for Africans has the potential to greatly boost startup growth. The mobility and diversity of ICT talent, investors, and entrepreneurs can be increased by lifting the visa requirements in many African countries. More commercial prospects for startups, particularly in the fintech and eCommerce sectors, are also created by the growth in intra-African commerce, for example, between Rwanda and other African nations.

Africa stands at a crossroads, and the choices made by its nations today will shape the continent’s future. If all African nations can embrace visa-free policies, the continent will break free from the shackles of restrictive practices and foster an environment where talent, ideas, and capital can move freely. The call to action goes beyond individual national interests; it is a collective effort to propel Africa into an era of innovation, economic growth, and collaboration.

Also, the Seychelles, the Gambia, Kenya, and the Benin Republic had earlier made the moves. Those moves would surely strengthen the free movement of people and trade within Africa, and thus, conducting business in Africa is exceedingly challenging and costly.

It is important to note that eliminating visa requirements alone is insufficient for creating a borderless Africa because there are additional obstacles to intra-African exchanges. One thing to consider is the cost of travel inside Africa in comparison to other parts of the world.

Remittance fees consume around 10% of the transaction value, making sending money to Africa more costly than anywhere else in the world, according to several reports. Sending money within the continent is another challenge. Deep policy and infrastructure reforms are also needed.

However, Rwanda’s move is a call to action for all African nations to reassess their visa policies. African countries should note that embracing openness doesn’t compromise security; instead, it positions countries to harness the full potential of their people and resources. The future of Africa lies in the expulsion of barriers, allowing the continent to blossom collectively in an era of invention and global economic partnerships.

Hammed J. Sulaiman

Educator, writer and legal researcher at Alafarika for Studies and Consultancy.