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0 Majority Leader of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has called for the removal of travel and trade barriers across Africa, urging leaders to accelerate efforts towards a visa-free continent.
Speaking at the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogue, held under the theme “Empowering SMEs, Women and Youth in Africa’s Single Market: Innovate, Collaborate, Trade”, Mr Ayariga said free movement of people and goods is essential for Africa’s economic growth.
“We want a visa-free Africa,” he said, pointing to the benefits already seen within the sub-region.
“I have seen how a visa-free West Africa has been enormously supportive.”
He also called for greater air connectivity across the continent.
“We want open African skies,” Mr Ayariga said, adding that Africa should move towards “one African biometric passport” to ease travel for its citizens.
The Majority Leader stressed the need for modern infrastructure to support young people and small businesses operating across borders.
“Let’s build an infrastructure that will enable our youth to trade digitally across borders, to have their mobile money operate across borders,” he said.
He said that young Africans are also demanding recognition of their academic qualifications across the continent.
“Our youth want their degrees recognised across the continent,” Mr Ayariga said.
According to him, Africa has already made significant progress at the regional level, particularly in West Africa.
“A lot of progress has been made, especially in West Africa,” he said, adding that his experience as a member of the ECOWAS Parliament for nearly a decade gave him first-hand knowledge of these achievements.
“Many of the demands that have been made here, I recall we worked on them diligently and in West Africa we enjoy many of those facilities,” he added.
Mr Ayariga said similar arrangements exist in other parts of the continent.
“When you travel to other blocs on the continent, you will find out that at the regional levels, many of the issues we are advocating for are being enjoyed,” he said, listing regions including North, East, Southern and Central Africa, as well as Francophone, Lusophone, Arab and Anglophone Africa.
He said that the next step is to integrate these regional benefits so that all Africans can enjoy them at the same time.
“What is needed now is to have the various blocs integrate those facilities that they have given to citizens in their blocs and let all Africans enjoy them,” he said.
“I believe the vision that informs this campaign can succeed and will succeed. Our Parliament stands ready to walk the talk. We are ready to pass all the agreements needed to grant visa-free status to every African,” he added.
