Angola has thrown its weight behind the Visa-Free Africa campaign, joining a growing number of countries pushing for easier travel across the continent.
The campaign, part of the Trans Africa Tourism and Unity initiative led by former Ghanaian legislator Ras Mubarak, calls for the removal of visa restrictions for African citizens. Advocates say it will open doors for stronger cultural exchange, tourism growth, and deeper economic integration.
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Speaking during a meeting with the campaign team in Luanda, Márcio de Jesus Lopez Daniel, Angola’s minister of culture and tourism, announced the government’s next step.
“Angola will present a proposal for a visa-free exemption to Africans at the Council of Ministers of Tourism in Africa,” he said, underlining the country’s intention to take the idea beyond national borders and onto the African Union stage.
The announcement carries added weight as Angola’s president currently chairs the African Union, giving Luanda a chance to drive continental momentum on the issue.
Visa restrictions remain one of the biggest obstacles to travel within Africa, often making it easier and cheaper for citizens to fly to Europe than to neighbouring countries. By endorsing the campaign, Angola is signalling its readiness to address these barriers and position tourism as a driver of unity and economic growth.
For campaign leader Ras Mubarak, each endorsement is another step toward a more connected Africa. His team is on a 39-country road journey spanning 163 days, engaging governments, businesses, and citizens to build consensus on the benefits of open borders.
Supporters believe Angola’s backing could prove pivotal. By linking the campaign to the African Union agenda, the proposal could become more than symbolic—it may set the stage for policy changes that make cross-border travel simpler for millions of Africans.
Read also: Ghana backs continent-wide campaign for visa-free Africa
For Angola, the move also fits within a broader vision of leaving a leadership legacy. As chair of the African Union, its president has an opportunity to shape the continent’s tourism and integration agenda in lasting ways.
The Visa-Free Africa campaign now turns to its next stops in southern Africa, as Mubarak and his team continue building momentum. With Angola’s endorsement, the call for open borders has gained not just another supporter but also a potential champion at the highest continental level.
