The African Union, AU, is set to launch a common electronic passport that will allow its holders visa-free access to all 54 member-countries.
In a statement, the union said the passport was a step towards the fulfilment of the continent’s goals, as enshrined in Agenda 2063 action plan, to promote greater continental integration and forge a united Africa.
The passports will be distributed to all African citizens by 2018, According to the AU.
An historic one-week summit has been scheduled to hold in Kigali, Rwanda, next we. The summit is expected to make landmark deliberations that will bring together heads of state, ministers and the business community from the 54 countries.
According to AU statement: “Countries such as Seychelles, Mauritius, Rwanda and Ghana, have taken the lead in ensuring easier intra-Africa travel by relaxing visa restrictions and in some cases, lifting visa requirements altogether. The scene seems to be set to realise the dream of visa-free travel for African citizens within their own continent by 2020.”
Initiatives emanating from the summit will be issued to heads of states, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representatives of AU member-states based at the AU Headquarters in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.
The statement also read: “Issuance of the AU e-Passport is expected to pave the way for member-states to adopt and ratify the necessary protocols and legislation, with a view to begin issuing the much expected African passport.”
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