Dangote, Others Call For Visa-Free Travels In Africa

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Friday, May 9th, 2014

Jacob Oyewale, Abuja

African Development Bank (AfDB), Aliko Dangote and two African leaders have called for visa-free travels in Africa to enhance regional economic integration across the continent.

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This is contained in a statement by the Nigeria Country Office of the bank issued on Thursday in Abuja, and made available to newsmen.

The statement said that the AfDB President, Dr Donald Keberuka, and business mogul Aliko Dangote alongside two African leaders had pressed for the initiative at the ongoing World Economic Forum on Africa in Abuja.

The two African leaders who supported the move are President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The initiative was a call to action for regional integration to promote travels across the continent by easing visa constraints.

Kaberuka said, “the African Development Bank strongly supports the initiative, as a key component of its commitment to enhancing regional integration across Africa’’.

According to him, easing visa constraints and removing other unnecessary barriers would contribute to boosting the continent’s economies.

“True integration will take place only if people are able to move freely across the continent, and leaders need to take action to make this happen,’’ He added.

Kenya President, Kenyatta in his view stated that lack of political will and negative perception should not be allowed to undermine Africa’s integration and economic growth.

Meanwhile, AFDB Chief Economist, Mthuli Ncube,has urged Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa to synergise and drive inclusive growth in the continent.

Ncube spoke as a panelist on the topic: “Driving Competitiveness through Cooperation, Integration and Economic Growth’’.

Ncube said if the three countries could work together, it would dramatically reduce the average poverty rate in the Africa region.