Elegbede Abiodun
This reform eradicates the need for pre-arrival visas, marking a major shift in Ghana’s travel and immigration framework.
Ghana is ready to allow visa-free entry for all African passport holders, becoming the fifth African country to implement such a policy, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has declared.
The move will take effect on May 25, 2026, in line with Africa Day celebrations, Business Insider has reported.
The policy was unveiled during the state visit of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and builds on an earlier initiative introduced under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, who had announced visa-free travel for Africans in his final State of the Nation Address in January 2025. That earlier plan did not take effect before the end of his tenure.
With this new measure, Ghana joins Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Seychelles as the only African countries offering visa-free entry to all African nationals. The reform removes the need for pre-arrival visas, marking a major shift in the country’s travel and immigration framework.
The visa-free regime will be linked to Ghana’s rollout of a new e-visa system, set to launch next month, aimed at streamlining entry processes while maintaining border controls. Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa said the policy seeks to strengthen Ghana’s role as the cradle of Pan-Africanism, while boosting tourism and intra-African trade.
Since last year, Ghana has also negotiated 23 visa waiver agreements for its own citizens, expanding travel access for Ghanaian passport holders. Officials say the introduction of visa-free entry for Africans is expected to enhance mobility, tourism, business travel, and regional integration, aligning with continental efforts such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
