Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world, yet African citizens face some of the most stringent visa restrictions globally.
As a result, there are hundreds of stories of missed opportunities – lost job opportunities, a student who couldn’t take up an internship, a doctor that had to give up speaking at a conference, an entrepreneur that lost a promising piece of business when he couldn’t attend a business meeting.
For the last 30 years, the African Union has attempted to address free movement within the region. While there has been some progress, African citizens still need visas to travel to 42 out of 55 African countries.
Africa’s current population of over a billion is expected to double by 2050. A Visa Free Africa will help boost tourism revenues, foster new business opportunities, facilitate economic growth and increase employment.
The Kigali Global Shapers, a part of the Global Shapers Community, an offshoot of the World Economic Forum, are raising this petition to push for a Visa Free Africa. It may not happen overnight but it needs to happen soon.
A Visa Free Africa is needed now more than ever!
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Supported by National Aviation Services (NAS)
