KEY POINTS
- AfCFTA enables visa-free movement across 54 nations, fostering economic integration.
- $3.4 trillion market unlocked by AfCFTA policies.
- Ghana’s visa-free entry for Moroccans accelerates AfCFTA goals.
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s largest free-trade area, has achieved a landmark milestone with visa-free movement now operational across 54 African nations, establishing a unified market of over 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.
This pivotal development enhances Africa’s economic integration, facilitating the seamless flow of goods, services, and investments.
The announcement comes after Ghana’s recent decision to grant Moroccan citizens visa-free entry, a move set to take effect on January 1, 2025, and highlights the accelerating momentum of AfCFTA’s vision to bolster intra-African trade.
AfCFTA advances visa-free African trade
Led by the African Union (AU), AfCFTA seeks to dismantle long-standing trade and investment barriers. With Eritrea as the only non-signatory, the agreement reflects collective political resolve to drive economic transformation. By reducing transaction costs and enabling businesses to scale across borders, the visa-free policy is projected to spur innovation and stimulate growth in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and technology.
With Ghana now joining Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin in providing visa-free access to African passport holders, the initiative will ease mobility, expand tourism, and strengthen economic collaboration by eliminating restrictive border policies.
“This milestone reinforces AfCFTA’s objective of creating a competitive and integrated African economy,” said Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of AfCFTA. “Visa-free movement is key to unlocking Africa’s full market potential and enhancing continental unity.”
AfCFTA unlocks Africa’s $3 trillion market
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s largest free-trade zone, began operations on January 1, 2021, establishing a $3-trillion market for 1.2 billion people—making it the eighth-largest economic bloc globally, with projections to double by 2050.
AfCFTA’s Secretariat is focused on harmonizing regulations, enhancing infrastructure, and removing non-tariff barriers to support trade expansion, industrialization, and long-term growth. The visa-free policy strengthens Africa’s appeal to global investors, positioning the continent as an emerging economic power. Africa’s youthful population and expanding markets continue to attract international attention.
AfCFTA’s visa-free initiative underscores Africa’s commitment to economic integration, competitiveness, and sustainable development.
