By George Omagbemi Sylvester
President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has called on African governments to fully recognise the African Union (AU) Passport and eliminate visa restrictions that continue to hinder the free movement of people, goods and investments across the continent.
Dangote made the appeal during the 2026 Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Abuja, where he argued that Africa cannot achieve meaningful economic integration while cumbersome visa requirements continue to restrict intra-African travel. He revealed that despite holding an AU passport, he was required to obtain a visa before travelling to Angola, describing the experience as evidence that many African countries have yet to fully embrace the continent’s integration agenda.
According to the billionaire industrialist, the removal of visa barriers is essential for unlocking the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He stressed that seamless cross-border movement would encourage trade, investment, tourism and industrial development, while enabling African businesses to compete more effectively on the global stage.
Dangote urged African leaders to demonstrate stronger political commitment to regional integration by implementing policies that facilitate the movement of entrepreneurs and investors.
He maintained that achieving the objectives of the AfCFTA depends not only on trade agreements but also on removing administrative and immigration obstacles that continue to impede economic growth and cooperation across Africa.
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