The African Union (AU) has launched a new plan to fast-track the implementation of its 2018 protocol on the free movement of people, aiming to ease travel, work, and residency across its 55 member states.
The strategy, presented in Addis Ababa by AU political affairs commissioner Minata Samate Cessouma, outlines a phased approach: visa-free or simplified entry, temporary residence for work or study, and permanent settlement.
The AU says the plan is modeled after the European Union’s integration experience. “Free movement is a pillar of regional development,” Cessouma said.
Despite being adopted seven years ago, only 33 countries have signed the protocol, and just four — Rwanda, Niger, Mali, and São Tomé and Príncipe — have ratified it. The AU is now supporting national-level legal and administrative reforms to bridge the implementation gap.
Rwanda is seen as a frontrunner, having granted visa-on-arrival access to all African nationals since 2018, helping boost tourism and investment.
The AU’s supporting measures include harmonizing visa systems, upgrading border infrastructure, and training officials. It also plans to expand the African Union passport beyond officials to the general public.
Security and sovereignty concerns remain key hurdles, but the AU says political will and regional coordination are essential to achieving integration goals.
