The African Economic Conference that was being held in Gaborone, Botswana, ended on a positive note, according to the organizers. Indeed, in addition to the recommendations which, once implemented, could solidify the continent’s economy, the African Development Bank also published for the ninth time the visa openness index for African countries. In total, 17 countries have improved their score since last year and 39 have improved since 2016. Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda and Seychelles remain the only African countries that offer visa-free access to all Africans.
The 2024 edition of the African Economic Conference ended on Monday November 25, 2024, in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana, on a positive note, according to the organizers. A number of recommendations emerged from the discussions and presentations of research papers on how to strengthen the African economy in a rapidly changing world.
We did really have some very important exchanges. I could mention, for example, the message given by the President of Botswana, who asked that we not limit ourselves on the problems, but go straight to the practical solutions that can be achieved now. He said: “I want the brutal truth” to meet the challenges we face. I think that’s a very strong message, and one that resonated throughout the conference, as evidenced by a number of powerful ideas that were put forward.
El Hadji FALL, Strategic Advisor, UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa
One of the biggest announcements of this edition was the official publication of the African Visa Openness Index. Since 2023, 17 countries have improved their standing, while 39 have done so since 2016, the year the first report was published. And for those countries still hesitating to take the plunge, the African Development Bank has a message for them.
One of the statements that was made by the African Development Bank’s president is that trade does not happen in a vacuum. For you to move goods across borders, you need drivers, you need people; for somebody to come to your country to invest, they must first consider how the environment is and then they can invest. You don’t expect somebody who is going to be spending their money in your country to take their passport to your embassy to apply for a visa, which can be rejected and to pay; because you want investments into your country. So, what we are saying is for countries to promote trade, investments and tourism, they need to open up their borders.
Zodwa MABUZA, Principal Regional Integration Officer at the AfDB
The African Visa Openness Index measures how open each African country is to visitors from other African countries. Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda and Seychelles are still the only African countries offering visa-free access to all Africans.