Despite earlier xenophobic attacks that transpired across South Africa earlier this year killing and injuring hundreds of foreigners and their businesses, most especially Nigerians, Nigeria refuses to allow such horrific events to set back the integration and progress of the Africa by going ahead and declaring free Visas on arrival for all visiting African nationalities in what can best be described as a ‘unifying endeavor.’
The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari made the announcement in a conference before a statement was released on his official platforms, ‘Nigeria is committed to supporting the free movement of Africans within Africa. Yesterday at the Aswan Forum in Egypt I announced that, in January 2020, we will commence issuance of visas at the point of entry into Nigeria, to all persons holding passports of African countries.’
This declaration comes at a time when Nigeria is facing one of its longest social-economic crises and although it is considered a fast growing African super power with one of the strongest economies across the continent, it’s borders still remained closed off to all its neighbors despite pressure on President Buhari to lift the blockade who believes it will greatly reduce on the smuggling of imports and exports across the country’s borders.
It joins a number of African countries such as: Seychelles, Rwanda, Senegal, Benin and Ghana that have declared the open visa policy for all Africans. However 49% of the continent still remains under the visa policy. Buhari believes that such a gesture would definitely boost the tourism and make the country more appealing for foreign investors although he still refuses to announce when his border blockade will be lifted.
The move by Nigeria and a few other African to offer free visas to Africans countries will support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) outlined in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement among 54 of the 55 African Union nations. The agreement initially requires members to remove tariffs from 90% of goods, allowing free access to commodities, goods, and services across the continent.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa estimates that the agreement will boost intra-African trade by 52 percent by 2022.
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