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Ghana has announced that, starting this year, all African passport holders will be allowed to enter the country without a visa, marking a significant step toward economic integration on the continent.
The announcement was made by outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo during his final State of the Nation address, as he prepares to step down after two terms in office on January 6.
“I am proud to have approved visa-free entry for all African passport holders, effective from the start of this year,” Akufo-Addo said in his address to parliament.
“This is a logical progression of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its role in the world’s largest trading bloc,” he added.
He emphasized that this move is a key element of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims for a more integrated and connected Africa by 2063.
Ghana joins other African countries such as Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin in offering visa-free access to African nationals.
Previously, Ghana allowed visa-free entry for citizens of 26 African nations and offered visas on arrival for travelers from 25 others, with only two countries—Eritrea and Morocco—requiring a visa prior to entry.
This visa-free policy builds on Ghana’s international efforts, including the 2019 Year of Return initiative, which commemorated 400 years since the transatlantic slave trade and celebrated the African diaspora. The campaign attracted thousands, including celebrities, and led to some visitors receiving Ghanaian citizenship, boosting the country’s global standing as a cultural and tourism hub.
Akufo-Addo also highlighted economic achievements under his leadership, noting an increase in Ghana’s international reserves from $6.2 billion in 2017 to $8 billion and strong GDP growth in 2024.
“Economic growth has returned to the pre-Covid trajectory,” he remarked, predicting a 6.3% growth rate for 2025.
He concluded, “I leave behind a thriving Ghana, one that has weathered global challenges with remarkable resilience, whose economy is steadily recovering, and whose institutions are functioning effectively.”
Ghana, rich in oil and gold, is one of Africa’s most stable democracies. However, since 2022, it has been grappling with a severe economic crisis and is currently undergoing a $3-billion International Monetary Fund relief program.
Akufo-Addo will hand over power to John Mahama, the winner of the December elections.
