In order for Africa to overcome economic difficulties and successfully achieve its social and economic goals, African countries must collaborate and form alliances that promote mutual interests. However, the biggest obstacle to collective growth, it seems, is the longstanding failure of African leaders to agree on the free movement of goods, capital, and labor across their borders. While several agreements have been made in the past, there has been no clarity on what the terms really are, leaving them open to interpretation by whoever is responsible for enforcing them at the point of entry.

The pressure from businesses, entrepreneurs seeking opportunities, and Africans who want to explore the continent for knowledge and tourism, has brought the conversation to the fore over the last five years, prompting some countries to slowly lean towards more open borders. According to Visa Openness, only two countries, Seychelles and Benin, currently offer complete visa-free access to all Africans. The other countries are either partially visa-free or offer a visa on arrival. However, it is still worth mentioning that several African countries have made significant progress by offering visas on arrival instead of making visitors go through the long visa process at embassies. Often, these embassies are located in the capital or areas of economic activity, meaning Africans have to fly or drive extra miles.

The issuing of e-visas has helped to liberalize movement in the continent, with Africans now being able to access 50% of Africa. They can get a visa on arrival, use their e-visa, or move around without one, but that still leaves half of the continent requiring a visa even from its most prominent citizens. Movement is more fluid in Africa’s regional economic blocs like ECOWAS, EAC, and SADC, but there is still a long way to go.

The move towards opening up Africa’s borders will open up markets and routes to raw materials. It may even lead to improvements in infrastructure while guiding the flow of knowledge around the continent. If Africa can successfully open up its borders in 2021, it will be the biggest economic stimulus for years to come.

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