As Ethiopia prepares to host the 38th African Union (AU) Assembly on February 15-16, 2025, the country faces mounting calls to implement a visa-free entry policy for African travelers. The upcoming summit in Addis Ababa presents a crucial opportunity for Ethiopia to demonstrate its commitment to Pan-African unity and regional integration by removing visa restrictions for fellow Africans.
A Call for a Borderless Africa
The African Union has long advocated for greater mobility across the continent, recognizing that restrictive visa policies hinder economic growth, trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. In 2016, the AU introduced the African Passport and Free Movement Protocol, aiming to eliminate visa barriers and promote seamless travel. However, progress has been slow, with only a handful of countries fully embracing visa-free policies for African nationals.
Ethiopia, as the host nation of the AU headquarters, has a unique responsibility to lead by example. Currently, Ethiopian visa policies remain relatively restrictive compared to nations such as Rwanda, The Gambia, and Seychelles, which have already opened their borders to all African travelers. Advocates argue that by following suit, Ethiopia would not only enhance its reputation as a champion of African unity but also unlock significant economic and diplomatic benefits.
Economic and Diplomatic Advantages
A visa-free policy could serve as a catalyst for boosting Ethiopia’s tourism industry, attracting more visitors from across the continent. Increased travel would lead to higher revenues for hotels, restaurants, airlines, and local businesses. Moreover, facilitating easier access for African entrepreneurs and investors could stimulate trade, innovation, and cross-border collaboration, aligning with the AU’s broader agenda of economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Diplomatically, embracing visa-free travel would strengthen Ethiopia’s leadership role within the AU and reinforce its commitment to African solidarity. As the host of numerous continental organizations and summits, a more open visa policy would enhance Addis Ababa’s status as a true Pan-African hub, fostering deeper cooperation among member states.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite the numerous advantages, critics argue that security concerns, infrastructure readiness, and administrative capacity must be carefully addressed before implementing a visa-free system. Ensuring border security while facilitating smooth entry processes would require enhanced immigration systems, biometric registration, and stronger regional cooperation on intelligence-sharing.
Additionally, some policymakers worry about potential job market pressures and irregular migration. However, proponents counter that free movement does not necessarily lead to mass migration but instead encourages short-term travel for business, tourism, and education, which benefits both the host country and the traveler’s home nation.
Ethiopia’s Opportunity to Set a Precedent
With the 38th AU Assembly set to discuss strategies for strengthening African unity, Ethiopia has an opportunity to make a bold statement by announcing visa-free access for all African travelers. Doing so would reinforce its standing as a leader in Pan-African affairs and contribute to a future where Africans can move, trade, and collaborate freely across borders.