ODM leader Raila Odinga has urged African leaders to eliminate visa restrictions among African nations, arguing that the continent’s long-term growth is being hindered by short-sighted visa policies. Speaking at the ICAD 2025 Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, Raila called for the free movement of people to stimulate economic growth, youth empowerment, and regional integration.
“The benefits of free movement far outweigh visa revenues,” Raila stated, emphasizing that Africa must choose long-term prosperity over the short-term gains of visa fees. His remarks align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a borderless, united, and economically vibrant continent.
Raila highlighted Africa’s youthful population now the majority as a critical driver of future growth. “It’s their time to deliver the dreams of our founders. We must strengthen governance and unlock their potential,” he said.
According to a World Bank study, fully implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and allowing unrestricted mobility could increase Africa’s income by 9 percent by 2035 and lift over 50 million people out of extreme poverty. The same study projects up to $450 billion (Sh58.05 trillion) in additional intra-African trade if mobility barriers are eased.
A few African countries, including Rwanda, Ghana, and Kenya, have taken notable steps toward visa liberalization. Rwanda removed all visa requirements for African nationals in 2023, with Kenya following suit later that year. Despite this progress, only five African countries have fully opened their borders to all Africans.
The 2022 African Visa Openness Index showed that just 28 percent of intra-African travel is visa-free, underscoring the slow pace of reform. Raila’s message serves as a call to action amid growing support for visa-free travel within Africa.
Experts caution that visa liberalization must be supported by infrastructure, security cooperation, and efficient border systems. Still, Raila’s vision underscores what is at stake: with Africa’s population expected to double by 2050, removing visa barriers could be a game-changer in realizing the continent’s full potential.