Ghana has officially implemented visa-free travel for all African passport holders, as announced by outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo in his final state-of-the-nation address. This policy, which was first introduced last month, came into effect at the start of 2025. The move is seen as an important step towards enhancing Pan-African unity and economic cooperation.
Ghana becomes the fifth African nation to offer visa-free access to citizens from across the continent, joining Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin. Akufo-Addo described this policy as a logical progression toward the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which was established four years ago.
In 2024, Ghana ranked fifth in an annual African visa-openness index, as it already provided visa-free access to citizens of 26 African countries. The country has also been actively positioning itself as a key destination for both African travelers and the African diaspora. The 2019 “Year of Return” initiative was part of this strategy, encouraging people of African descent to visit and invest in Ghana.
In his final address, Akufo-Addo reflected on his tenure, acknowledging the difficult economic challenges faced by Ghanaians but highlighting that “growth has returned to the pre-COVID trajectory.” Despite losing his bid for re-election, Akufo-Addo expressed pride in leaving behind a thriving nation.
