Ghana endorses bold campaign for a visa-free Africa
The push for a visa-free Africa gained renewed momentum with Ghana's endorsement of the Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign, which advocates say is essential for unlocking the continent's economic and cultural potential.
Announced on 10 July by the ministry of foreign affairs, the campaign is spearheaded by
Its central objective is to abolish visa restrictions for African citizens travelling in the continent — a move that would encourage intra-African tourism, increase trade and foster deeper cross-cultural connections.
The endorsement aligns with the
The call for seamless African travel is not new, but it has been mired in bureaucracy, political hesitation and a lack of coordinated implementation. Only a handful of countries currently offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to all African citizens.
For years, the
The campaign has secured partnerships with media houses on the continent, including Ghana's Graphic Communications Group Limited, Nigeria's New Mail Online, EIB Network, Asaase Radio, Eyewitness News Sierra Leone and Woezor TV. These partnerships are designed to amplify the campaign's messaging, which is being shared under the hashtags #OpenAfrica and #OpenOpportunities.
By centring tourism as both an economic driver and a tool for unity, the campaign also challenges African governments to reframe how they view borders — not as lines of control, but as openings for possibility.
Intra-African tourism remains low, even as global tourism rebounds. A more open continent could stimulate local economies, provide job opportunities and promote mutual understanding among African nations.
The campaign's next steps include ongoing public engagement, digital mobilisation and high-level lobbying aimed at securing endorsements from other African governments.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
17 hours ago
- The Herald
Trump tariffs put 100,000 jobs at risk in South Africa: Lesetja Kganyago
US President Donald Trump's tariffs on South Africa could cause about 100,000 job losses, with the agriculture and automotive sectors hardest hit, Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago said on Wednesday. Kganyago told radio station 702 the impact of the 30% tariff, which Africa's biggest economy faces from August 1, could cause significant damage to specific industries. 'The impact in agriculture could be devastating because agriculture employs a lot of low-skilled workers and here the impact is on citrus, table grapes and wines.' Statistics showing South African car exports to the US slumped more than 80% in the wake of import tariffs imposed on cars by the Trump administration in April were concerning. 'If we do not find alternative measures the impact on jobs could be about 100,000, so that is what we face,' the governor said. South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, with the official rate at 32.9% in the first quarter of this year and an expanded definition at 43.1%. Farmer groups have also warned of the adverse impact of the tariffs on producers of citrus, macadamia nuts, grapes, wine, fruit juices and ostrich leather. In the citrus sector, the tariffs have put 35,000 jobs in jeopardy and threaten to devastate towns such as Citrusdal in the Western Cape that are heavily dependent on exports to the US. Reuters
Mail & Guardian
19 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
R44 billion: The big bucks of hunting tourism
* Approximately 95 000 jobs in South Africa depend on hunting tourism.* Hunting tourism contributes USD2.5 billion, or about R44.03 billion to South Africa's economy. * Hunting tourism massively benefits rural communities.* South Africa's wildlife population on private land exceeds that in national parks. Amid global debates on ethical travel and wildlife preservation, a new study from North-West University shines a spotlight on an often-overlooked sector that quietly props up South Africa's rural economy: hunting tourism. In the aftermath of COVID-19, tourism economies the world over struggled to recover. But in South Africa, hunting tourism, both domestic and international trophy hunting, has not only rebounded, it has emerged as a critical economic driver. A new study led by Prof Peet van der Merwe and Prof Andrea Saayman from the North-West University, titled: Assessing the contributions of hunting tourism to the South African economy: a post‑COVID analysis , calculates hunting tourism's annual contribution to South Africa's economy at a staggering USD2.5 billion, or about R44.03 billion. The figure is not just large, it's transformative. Local hunters, who constitutes mostly middle-aged men from provinces like Gauteng, make up the bulk of this economic activity. With each local hunter spending an average of USD3 594 per season, their collective annual spend tops USD718 million. International hunters, often affluent retirees from the United States, spend far more per trip – an average of USD32 663 – primarily on game, trophies, accommodation and daily rates. Though fewer in number, their spending adds another USD169 million to the tally. But the significance goes beyond raw expenditure. Employing a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM), the researchers found a production multiplier of 2.97. In lay terms: for every USD1 spent, an additional USD1.97 is generated in economic activity. The ripple effect spreads across agriculture, trade, accommodation, transport and personal services. Perhaps the most striking finding is employment. Approximately 95 000 jobs in South Africa depend on hunting tourism. Many of these roles, such as trackers, farm hands and cleaners, require limited formal education, making the sector a vital source of income in a country grappling with a 32.9% unemployment rate. Over 60% of these jobs fall within low-skilled categories, underscoring hunting tourism's outsized impact on South Africa's most vulnerable workers. Hunting tourism's lifeblood flows into rural economies, often bypassed by mainstream tourism. Provinces like Limpopo benefit enormously from the inflow, with private game farms – many converted from struggling livestock operations – thriving through sustainable use. Notably, South Africa's wildlife population on private land now exceeds that in national parks, and the study argues that hunting revenue has underwritten significant re-wilding efforts. The researchers also point to a powerful conservation dividend. Contrary to popular belief, regulated hunting creates financial incentives for landowners to protect and repopulate wild species. Without such incentives, many might revert to traditional farming, leading to habitat loss and diminished biodiversity. To some, hunting remains morally fraught. But the study emphasises that economic survival for many rural communities hinges on this industry. Importantly, the research does not gloss over ethical concerns. Instead, it calls for measured policy, recognising hunting tourism's proven contribution to jobs, conservation and poverty alleviation. Moreover, the sector's resilience post-COVID is telling. As international travel resumes, South Africa has found in hunting tourism a niche that not only endures but thrives. It speaks to a broader shift in post-pandemic tourism: towards immersive, exclusive and, at times, controversial experiences. With sectors like agriculture, hospitality and logistics all feeding off the hunting economy, the study urges policymakers to acknowledge and protect this value chain. Legislation around land use, conservation and hunting quotas must be grounded in economic realities, not just ideological preferences. Missteps could jeopardise both wildlife and livelihoods. Hunting tourism may not be everyone's idea of a sustainable economy. Yet, in South Africa's post-pandemic landscape, it is delivering where others have faltered. It supports rural economies, funds conservation and employs tens of thousands, many of them low-income workers with few alternatives. In a world seeking green growth with social equity, the rifle may be a more unexpected ally than critics care to admit. • Follow the link to the article here:
The Herald
21 hours ago
- The Herald
Gayton McKenzie names potential sponsors for South African F1 Grand Prix
Sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie has given the strongest indication yet that the country may be close to securing a round of the Formula One championship at Kyalami. Speaking to parliament on Tuesday, he said after meetings with the management of F1, the 'crucial one' would happen in the next two weeks and would be attended by potential sponsors ready to fund the event, which reputedly costs about R2bn. Expected to take place in 2027, it would be the first F1 race to be held in South Africa since 1993, a grand prix won by Alain Prost in a Williams. McKenzie's comments come after Kyalami was recently given the green light for upgrades by the FIA, the organisation that runs F1 racing. Kyalami owner Toby Venter revealed last month the FIA had accepted final design proposals to upgrade the 4.5km circuit from Grade 2 to Grade 1 status, the international standard required to host Formula One racing. The upgrade requires no change to the circuit layout and focuses on enhancing run-off areas, barrier systems, debris fencing, kerbs and drainage. 'When we hosted the Fifa World Cup, we put our country on the map to host big events, and we should not turn back now,' McKenzie told parliament on Tuesday. 'What will be different this time is that government will not be expected to pay. Companies such as MTN, MultiChoice, Heineken and many more have raised their hands and will be present with us in the meeting with Formula One management at the end of the month. 'We've even had patriots saying whenever you need help come to us, one of them being the richest man in the country, Johann Rupert.' In December McKenzie set up an F1 bid steering committee to consider submissions from local promoters and three were received: one from Kyalami and two from Cape Town. While no official announcement has been made about which bid was successful, it is all but certain that Kyalami, which hosted its first F1 race in 1967 and has long held a prominent place in local motorsport, is the preferred option. Several attempts to bring the Grand Prix back to the country were thwarted due to the high cost of hosting the event. As a motorsport fan, McKenzie has campaigned for the country to be on the F1 calendar since his appointment as sports minister in July 2024. He said F1 can't be considered a world championship if it misses an entire continent. Morocco and South Africa have hosted world championship grands prix in the past, Casablanca in 1958, South Africa in East London in the 1960s and Kyalami 20 times between 1967 and 1993. McKenzie kick-started the process when he met Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in September. He said many laughed when he said Formula One should come back to South Africa. 'To those who say the country can't afford to host the F1, I'm saying the country can't afford not to host it,' he said, referring to the economic benefits he believed the event could bring in terms of tourism and temporary job creation. It is not known how much tickets would cost, but they are likely to be expensive. The cheapest adult ticket at this year's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne was about R2,000.
