Hon Ras Mubarak, Campaign Lead for the Trans-Africa Tourism & Unity Campaign, has called for urgent action to implement a visa-free Africa, emphasising the transformative potential of open borders for trade, tourism, and youth employment.
He made the call at the High-Level Symposium on Advancing a Visa-Free Africa for Economic Prosperity, a side event organised by the African Union Commission’s Department of Health, Humanitarian and Social Affairs and the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, during the 39th Summit of AU Heads of State and Government on Friday, 13 February 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the segment titled “How Can We Move Faster Towards a Visa-Free Africa? and Why Mobility Matters for Regional Integration, Agenda 2063 and the Africa We Want,” at the High-Level Panel Discussion, Mr Mubarak stressed that Africans themselves bear responsibility for perpetuating negative narratives about the continent.
“In many country reports, there is a focus on Africa’s challenges, and we as Africans have often accentuated these negatives, making it harder to build trust and encourage governments to open their borders,” he said. “We must project a positive image of Africa, not ignoring challenges but also celebrating the continent’s promise.”
Drawing from his five-month journey across 28 African countries, which included visits to 31 cities, Mr. Mubarak highlighted the diversity and richness of Africa’s cultures, people, and natural landscapes. He argued that showcasing these positives is essential to building the momentum needed for visa-free policies.
Currently, only four African countries—Sao Tome, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Mali—have ratified the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, though Nigeria and Mali are currently suspended by the African Union.
“If we are serious about a visa-free Africa by 2030, more countries must lead by example,” he stressed, citing Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa as critical players.
Mr Mubarak criticized the current visa requirements at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, noting that Africans still pay a visa fee of $50 to enter the host country. “This is mindless,” he said. “The headquarters of the African Union should set an example for visa-free travel, not impose barriers.”
He highlighted the broader economic benefits of free movement, noting that open borders would stimulate trade, increase tourism revenue, and create jobs for African youth.
“When people move freely, governments may lose some visa fees, but this is offset by hotel occupancy, trade activity, and the jobs created,” he explained. “A dollar spent outside Africa is a dollar impoverishing our people and costing African youth employment.”
Mr Mubarak emphasised that visa-free policies are not just about convenience, they are essential for regional integration, economic growth, and the realization of Agenda 2063’s vision of a prosperous and united Africa.
Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: atlanticafricanews.com/, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
