Outline:
Promoting Unity and Tourism Across Africa
The Trans-Africa Tourism and Unity Campaign is gaining momentum as it seeks to foster greater travel and cooperation across the continent. This initiative aims to remove visa barriers and encourage tourism within Africa, creating a more interconnected and prosperous region.
At a press conference in Abuja, Inusa Ziblim, the Minister for Consular Affairs at the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria, highlighted the campaign’s objectives. He emphasized that the initiative goes beyond just removing visa requirements; it also aims to promote tourism throughout Africa. Ziblim noted that the Ghana High Commission has engaged with Nigerian government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Tourism, to discuss the campaign’s goals and strategies.
Addressing concerns about security, Ziblim pointed out that free movement agreements between countries have not led to significant security issues. He argued that data does not support the notion that opening borders necessarily creates security problems. Instead, he suggested that focusing on other factors, such as flight ticket prices, could be more impactful.
Ziblim explained that high flight ticket prices are a major obstacle to intra-African travel. Tickets to another African country are often double or triple the cost of flights to Europe. He attributed this to airport charges and taxes, which contribute to the high costs. To address this, he proposed reducing taxes at international airports and encouraging airlines to avoid exploiting their monopolies on certain routes. If governments reduce taxes and airlines do not take advantage of their market dominance, it could make a significant difference in making travel more affordable.
He also emphasized that increased trade and travel within Africa would lead to higher passenger volumes, making flights more sustainable for airlines. By promoting easier travel and trade, the campaign hopes to create a more dynamic and interconnected African economy.
Ziblim stressed the importance of tackling the high cost of flight tickets and promoting intra-African travel for the continent’s economic growth and unity. He believes that by trading more within the sub-region and traveling freely, Africans can achieve greater prosperity and solidarity.
A Vision for a United Africa
Ras Mubarak, the Leader of the Trans-African Tourism and Unity Campaign Team, described the campaign as a pivotal moment in its 40,000-kilometer journey across 39 countries. The campaign’s mission is to dismantle visa barriers that hinder the free movement of Africans across the continent.
Mubarak highlighted the absurdity of the current system, where it is easier for West Africans to obtain a Schengen visa than to travel to some southern African countries. He noted that these barriers are remnants of colonial divisions that contradict the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of a united, prosperous Africa.
He pointed out that the AU’s goal of a visa-free and borderless Africa by 2063 is too far away, and the campaign aims to achieve this within five years. Kenya’s decision to eliminate all visa requirements for African nationals serves as a shining example of what is possible.
The campaign’s focus is on boosting intra-African tourism and driving economic growth, youth empowerment, and cross-border collaboration. Mubarak urged Nigerians to highlight Abuja’s beauty and invite tourists to experience the city’s culture, markets, and landmarks. “Let’s make Nigeria a gateway for intra-African tourism, driving economic growth and unity,” he said.
As the campaign continues its journey, it will cover 40,000 kilometers across 39 African countries over 163 days, concluding in Ghana in January 2026. Mubarak encouraged Africans to sign a petition supporting a borderless Africa and asked media to amplify the campaign’s message. “Abuja shines. So can Africa. Spread the word of our campaign. Hold our leaders accountable. And inspire citizens to embrace a borderless future.”
The campaign’s next destinations include Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, and several other countries before returning to Ghana next year. Mubarak expressed gratitude to the people of Abuja and Nigerian officials for their support and invited questions related to the campaign.