Empowering African Citizens for Global Engagement in a Passport-Constrained Continent

An article by Chidinma Okebalama IMCM, Senior Consultant at Henley & Partners

Africa, my beautiful Africa. The rich culture, the diversity from region to region, and the ability to travel from north to south of the same continent yet feel very different deep emotions.

A trip around this beautiful continent feels like a strong empowerment of knowledge and opportunity, but for Africans in Africa, it is a far cry when your mobility is severely hampered by limitations imposed on its citizens based on the passport we have.

For Africa, where a diverse array of passport dynamics mirrors the continent’s geopolitical landscape and historical narratives, the matter of citizenship rings particularly true.

Some African nations may flaunt passports with significant visa-free privileges, but others grapple with barriers that impede their citizens’ mobility and financial opportunities.

Just how much economic mobility do you have as an African Citizen?

Navigating Africa as an African is not a seamless feat and the constraints on economic mobility due to the limitations imposed by our passports is very glaring. Unlike our counterparts in nations that have stronger economies, Africans face formidable challenges in accessing a larger slice of the global economy pie.

Here, passports act as go-betweens of financial liberty, impacting individuals’ capacities to pursue international business activities, establish effective networks, or tap into multinational trade prospects.

Because of this, African entrepreneurs and investors often find themselves excluded from lucrative global markets, stunting their potential for economic expansion and financial success.

For instance, despite being the continent’s economic powerhouse and wealthiest country, South Africa presents an important case study for the continent’s mobility field.

With over 100 destinations visa-free or with a visa on-arrival granted, South Africans enjoy comparatively greater mobility. However, the gap between visa-free access and economic influence remains wide – South Africa’s passport only gives visa-free travel to 17% of global GDP.

This means that among the over 37,000 millionaires who live in the country, those who only possess a South African passport must navigate tiresome foreign policy hurdles to access the remaining 83% of the world’s economic prowess.

How economic power plays out for African passport holders

The dearth of visa-free access impedes the flow of talent and expertise across borders, hindering collaboration and innovation both across Africa and between other continents. African professionals aspiring to advance their careers or pursue educational avenues abroad often encounter discouragement due to the arduous visa application processes and the uncertainty surrounding approvals.

This loss of talent deprives various regions of valuable human capital and stagnates progress towards cultivating a competitive knowledge-based economy.

Africa’s passport power goes hand in hand with its economic potential, shaping investment environments and business prospects. African entrepreneurs seeking channels to navigate regulatory complexities and access global markets are drawn to the possibilities afforded by the concept of investment migration, where they can receive an additional citizenship or residency by making an investment into a host country.

Nevertheless, the restrictions imposed by the region’s passports worsen the economic inequality evident on the African continent. Those with the means to acquire passports or residence permits in countries with more advanced economies can navigate these restrictions, which in turn widens the gap between the wealthy and the majority of citizens tethered by the limitations of their passports.

This dynamic worsens existing disparities and impedes efforts to foster inclusive economic development across Africa.

The quest to tackle ‘African passport (dis)empowerment’ demands concerted action at both national and international levels to dismantle travel barriers and strengthen Africans’ integration into the global economy.

How Africans can rise above their passport’s limits

Opportunities for innovation and collaboration can be found despite the challenges on the African continent. For example is the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063, which aims to promote seamless travel and economic integration across the region — emphasising the imperative of enhancing passport strength and relatively passport power.

Another initiative of note is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which heralds a new era of economic convergence, providing a platform to standardize passport regulations and streamline mobility across borders.

Through leveraging digital technologies and forging regional alliances, Africa can forge a path towards a unified passport ecosystem, propelling economic growth and human development.

Furthermore, ambitions such as the ‘African passport’, envisaged by the AU, embody Africa’s obligation to nurture intracontinental mobility. By facilitating visa-free travel across the continent for African citizens, the ‘African passport’ encapsulates the essence of Pan-Africanism, deepening unity and solidarity. The immense potential of the continent can be showcased on the global stage by providing African citizens with increased opportunities for economic advancement — be it by removing regulatory obstacles, promoting economic unity, and embracing innovative local solutions, or investment programmes.