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Zimbabwe and Botswana Embark on Visa-Free Travel

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Of late, African countries are embarking on easing entry restrictions for fellow Africans, ostensibly to promote greater understanding and to facilitate trade

Zimbabwe and Botswana entered into a bilateral deal to eliminate passport requirements for each other’s citizens, easing travel between the two nations. Of late, African countries are embarking on easing entry restrictions for fellow Africans, ostensibly to promote greater understanding and to facilitate trade.

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson, hailing the bilateral decision, said that entry restrictions are the legacy of colonial rule and highlighted the need for a shared commitment with Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi to dismantle barriers to free movement.

As reported by www.trendsnafrica.com, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin have already embraced visa-free entry for African visitors, with Rwanda recently joining the list. The trend underscores a deeper conversation about the potential of connectivity and integration across the continent. It may be recalled that Kenyan President William Ruto has set an ambitious target to eliminate visa requirements for all African visitors by the end of 2023. While doing so, he emphasized the economic benefits and trade opportunities such a policy shift could bring.

Read Also:

https://trendsnafrica.com/kenya-to-further-relax-visa-regime/

https://trendsnafrica.com/ghana-and-south-africa-waive-visas-for-citizens-to-visit-each-others-country/

Several other African nations such as Botswana and Namibia, South Africa and Ghana, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have entered into reciprocal visa waiver agreements. Analysts maintain that this trend would promote seamless travel and fostering regional cooperation. It is also a precursor to African Unity.