Since the independence of most African countries, the continent has struggled with the issue of visa restrictions, with most African countries implementing strict measures to stop their fellow Africans from moving into their countries. Not surprising but definitely detrimental to the African Unity, it was more difficult for an African to travel to another African country than for a European or American to travel to Africa. This was due to the high visa requirement specifically for other Africans. Countless stories have been told of Africans who were denied entry to another African country and sent back to their own countries just because of a particular visa requirement. But then the story is different for European or American nationals who do not even need to get visas before they step into most African countries because they are given visas on arrival. What a shame that it was easier for people who formerly colonized African countries to enter into the countries than for a fellow African to do so.

These visa restrictions for fellow Africans have ensured that the countries in the continent remain closed off to each other and therefore hindering Africa unity and integration which the West is desperate for Africa not to achieve. So, this means Africa has been playing into their hands for a long time but now, there is hope because the continent is waking up and things are changing. According to a 2022, Visa Openness report, African travel has become more open to African citizens in 2022, with fewer restrictions overall. Most African countries are now realizing the need to allow free movement of fellow Africans within their nation. In 2022, Benin, The Gambia and the Seychelles offer visa-free entry to Africans of all other countries but now both Rwanda and Kenya have also joined this list of countries offering free visa entry to Africans. According to Kenyan President, William Ruto, “By the end of this year, no African will need a visa to enter Kenya. The time has come to understand the importance of doing trade between us. His speech at the Three Basins Climate Change Conference in Brazzaville, Congo truly highlights the changes that are occurring in the continent. Just listen to this