The African Union is introducing a single passport to make travel on the continent easier for Africans

Source: Quartz Africa, 18/06/2016

When heads of state from across Africa arrive in Kigali, Rwanda next
month for the African Union (AU) Summit, they will be among the first
Africans issued the new electronic African Union passport. The
passport is meant to make travel on the continent much easier for
Africans.


"The scene seems to be set to realize the dream of visa-free travel
for African citizens within their own continent by 2020," the AU said
in a statement announcing the launch.


Travel in Africa is difficult for most Africans. They are required to
have visas for over half of the countries on the continent. Only 13
African countries (pdf) allow other Africans to enter without a visa
or give visas on arrival. In contrast, Americans can travel to 20
African countries without visas or with visas on arrival.


African travelers say they feel the same suspicion at immigration
counters within the continent as they do outside of it. Aliko Dangote,
a Nigerian businessman and Africa`s wealthiest man, was himself once
turned away by South African immigration officials as he struggled to
locate his passport. Meanwhile his American staff sailed through
border control.

Intra-African trade also costs more than any other region—as much as
50% higher than East Asia, for example. A truck serving supermarkets
in southern Africa needs to carry as many as 1,600 documents,
including permits and licenses, in order to cross borders, according
to Anabel Gonzalez, senior director of a World Bank group on trade and
global competitiveness.


The goal of the African Union passport, which Dangote said he is
applying for, is to help turn Africa into a "continent with seamless
borders" modeled after the European Union`s Schengen Area. Giving the
passports to state leaders is a "symbolic and significant" step,
according to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chair of the African Union
Commission. The goal of the African Union passport is to help turn
Africa into a "continent with seamless borders."


Officials have been pushing for increased freedom of movement ever
since the Organization of African Unity, a precursor to the AU, was
established in the 1960s. The idea has gained traction over the last
few years, however, due to the continent`s improving economic fortunes
and population growth. The AU wants to abolish visa requirements for
all African citizens visiting African countries by 2018, and establish
a free trade area across the continent by 2017.


Skeptics point out that creating a truly borderless Africa will likely
be quite challenging. The continent hosts many refugees from conflict
areas, not to mention militant groups like al-Shabaab or Boko Haram.
Then there are public health crises like the Ebola outbreak, and
questions posed by the nationality of those who have been deemed
stateless.


The Seychelles, Rwanda, Mauritius, and most recently Ghana have all
loosened travel restrictions on their fellow Africans, allowing visas
on arrivals or entry without the permit. But the process remains slow.
Currently, only AU heads of state and government, ministers of foreign
affairs, and other AU officials can apply for the passport, which will
be recognized in all 54 countries belonging to the organization.


"Countries have said that they are going back to look at the
practicality of doing their immigration regulation," says African
Union Commission chair Dlamini-Zuma. "But there is a decision and it
is up to all of us to hold our countries to that decision so that
indeed Africans can move freely amongst other African countries."