ADDIS-ABEBA/African Union Welcomes Visa-Free Measures by Ghana and Togo as a Major Step Toward African Integration

            INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE

Press Release No: 0109/2026                                      Date: 26^th May 2026

Venue:  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

African Union Welcomes Visa-Free Measures by Ghana and Togo as a Major Step Toward African Integration

H.E. Amb. Amma A. Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, has praised the Republic of Ghana and the Togolese Republic for their courageous decision, strong leadership, and political commitment to introducing a fully visa-free(free movement protocol) entry for all African nationals.

This move comes at a deeply meaningful time, as Africans at home and in the Diaspora celebrate Africa Day with the enduring spirit of Pan-Africanism, solidarity, and continental unity.

« No region of the world has truly reached its economic potential or built shared prosperity for its people without making it easier for people, skills, ideas, goods, and services to move across borders, » Ambassador Twum-Amoah emphasized. « Africa’s dream of integration will never be complete if its own citizens cannot freely move, trade, study, invest, and innovate across their own continent. »

The African Union recognizes that Ghana and Togo are now joining other AU member states, such as Benin, Gambia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Seychelles, that have already started similar policies. Together, they are driving continental integration, trade, tourism, investment, cultural exchange, academic cooperation, humanitarian coordination, labor mobility, regional public health collaboration, and stronger people-to-people connections.

These measures support the goals of the African Union Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence, and Right of Establishment, which aims to encourage safe, orderly, and steady mobility across Africa while strengthening regional cooperation, economic transformation, and social unity.

The Commission takes this moment to encourage all member states that haven’t yet ratified this Protocol to do so as soon as possible. So far, only four member states, Rwanda, Mali, Niger, and São Tomé and Principe, have ratified it since July 2022. At least 15 ratifications are needed for the Protocol to come into force, which would directly advance the vision of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

« The recent visa-free steps taken by Ghana and Togo show that African integration isn’t just a distant hope, it’s a practical reality that can deliver real benefits to our citizens, economies, and communities, » said Ambassador Twum-Amoah. « These actions truly reflect the spirit of Africa Day and the promise of Agenda 2063. A truly united Africa must be one where Africans can move with dignity, connect with opportunity, and contribute freely to the prosperity of their own continent. »

The Commissioner also welcomed the announcement by H.E. Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, declaring that, starting January 1, 2027, all African citizens will no longer need a visa to enter Congo. She thanked the President for his support of free movement across the continent, noting that this affects over 80% of African migrants, and for embracing a single African passport as a symbol of shared identity and continental unity.

She observed that the actions taken by the leaders of Congo, Ghana, and Togo sent a strong, positive message about the importance of removing colonial-era barriers that limit travel within Africa and restrict social and economic opportunities for Africans on their own continent.

The African Union Commission, through the Department for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS), appeals to all member states to take practical steps that strengthen travel within Africa, including waiving unnecessary travel fees and restrictions, harmonizing entry requirements, improving border management systems, strengthening health and security cooperation, expanding digital travel documentation, and raising public awareness about the benefits of free movement. The Department is committed to supporting member states with technical help, policy discussions, capacity-building programs, and continued consultations to move continental free movement forward.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Rita Amukhobu | Head of Humanitarian Affairs | Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission | E-mail:  AmukhobuR@africanunion.org

For media inquiries, please contact:

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