Ghana’s outgoing President, Nana Akufo-Addo, announced on Friday that, effective from the start of this year, all African passport holders will be able to travel to Ghana without a visa. This move is seen as a significant step toward further economic integration across the African continent.
Akufo-Addo made the announcement during his final State of the Nation address as he prepares to leave office on January 6 after serving two terms.
“I am proud to have approved visa-free entry for all African passport holders, starting this year,” Akufo-Addo declared in his speech to Parliament.
He described the decision as a “logical next step” in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the workings of the world’s largest trading bloc. “This is an essential part of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions an integrated and connected Africa by the year 2063,” he added.
With this move, Ghana joins other African countries like Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin in offering visa-free entry to African nationals. Previously, Ghana had allowed visa-free access for citizens of 26 African nations, with visas on arrival for travelers from 25 other countries. Only two African nations, Eritrea and Morocco, required a visa for entry.
The introduction of visa-free travel builds on Ghana’s broader efforts to boost its international profile, particularly through initiatives like the 2019 Year of Return campaign. The campaign, which marked the 400th anniversary of the transatlantic slave trade, attracted thousands of visitors, including prominent figures from the African diaspora, and led to some receiving Ghanaian citizenship.
In his final address, Akufo-Addo also highlighted Ghana’s economic achievements, citing a growth in the country’s gross international reserves, which increased from $6.2 billion in 2017 to $8 billion. He noted that Ghana’s economy had returned to pre-COVID growth levels, with a projected 6.3% growth rate for 2025.
“I leave behind a Ghana that is thriving,” Akufo-Addo said, praising the country’s resilience in the face of global challenges. “Our economy is steadily rebounding, and our institutions are functioning effectively.”
Ghana, one of West Africa’s oil-and-gold-rich nations, is also known for its political stability. However, since 2022, it has faced one of its worst economic crises in decades and is currently under a $3 billion relief program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Akufo-Addo will hand over power to John Mahama, who won the December elections, marking the end of his tenure as president.
