African travellers can now access more than half the continent, according to the 2019 Africa Visa Openness Index published by the African Union Commission and African Development Bank.
Visa-free travel was only possible to a fifth of the continent in 2016.
The report, which was launched last Monday on the sidelines of the Africa Investment Forum, in Johannesburg, South Africa shows that Africans can travel to 27 countries visa-free or with a visa on arrival.
This was expected to drive trade, investment and tourism, especially as 40% of Africa’s international tourists come from the continent.
“There is no longer a debate on whether there are benefits in relaxing a country’s visa regime,” reads part of the report.
“The growing momentum on visa openness in Africa is a signpost that policymakers have bought into the gains from making it easier for African businessmen and women, investors, students and tourists to travel.”
Africa was the second fastest growing tourism region in 2018, with growth of 5.6%, against a global average of 3.9%.
In 2008, 88% of the world population needed to obtain a visa before travelling to Africa, while in 2018 only 45% of global travellers had to do so, according to the UNWTO.
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