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Visas still barrier to travel across Africa as Namibia simplify processes
The dream of ameliorating visa hiccups for Africans on the continent is still a long way off but Namibia’s High Commission in Nigeria today simplified visa processing for Nigerians who want to visit the country by opening visa processing desk in Lagos.
This would make it seamless for prospective travellers living in Lagos and South West states to get their visa in Lagos rather than travel to Abuja for the purpose.
This is coming as Lagos state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode stated that the state has demonstrated commitment to the business of tourism and promotion of arts, culture and entertainment as part of its growth strategy, adding that the decision to have visa processing desk in Lagos would benefit Lagos and Lagosians tremendously.
The governor was represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde at the official opening of Namibia visa processing office in Lagos. .
.Ambode further stated that his state welcomed this development by being at the forefront of promoting tourism in the continent, stressing that Lagos and by extension, Nigeria would not make headway until Namibians start to visit Nigeria and Nigerians reciprocating the gesture.
. He lamented that quite a number of countries were working to make visa seamless, stressing that over 20 countries from Europe just hop into the plane and travel to the continent without visa.
He said the same thing should happen in Africa where visa barriers have made air travel and free movement of people cumbersome, noting, “Africa needs to make connectivity seamless. Lagos will be a fertile ground for people to travel to Namibia”.
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve
Ayorinde at the official opening of Namibian Visa Processing Desk in Lagos.
Namibian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Humphrey Geiseb said his country was committed to free movement of people in Africa and would support efforts to make visa procurement easier for millions of Nigerians who want to travel to the Southern African nation for tourism and business purposes.
Geisebi stated that Nigeria and Namibia share a long history of solidarity and cooperation, dating back to the years of struggle for the decolonization of Southern Africa, adding that Nigeria played a pivotal role in campaigning for Namibia’s decolonization. He disclosed that they are committed to free movement of people in Africa.
His words, “We have taken progressive steps for waiver for holders of diplomatic passports. We are here because we have a strong history and because Nigeria has been there for us in the past and they are still there for us.”
“Once you fulfil the visa requirements, you are free to go and experience tourists’ sites. We should be able to move freely. We already have 1.6 million tourists coming to Namibia yearly and the number of tourist is almost nearing our 2.4 million population”.
He further disclosed that last year alone, the High commission issued 700 visas to Nigerians; describing Nigeria as a giant they are happy to do business with.
He reiterated that its airline established 70 years ago is a catalyst to promoting tourism and economic development.
Air Namibia’s venture into the ECOWAS market is to establish a win-win cooperation to exploit available business opportunities, add value to the natural resources that both countries are endowed with.
African nations were supposed to scrap visa requirements for all African citizens by 2018.
It was a key part of the African Union (AU) “vision and roadmap for the next 50 years” that was adopted by all members states in 2013.
But to date, the Seychelles is the only nation where visa-free travel is open to all Africans – as well as to citizens of every nation – as it always has been.
A recent AU report found that Africans can travel without a visa to just 22 per cent of other African countries.
It is a sensitive topic, provoking xenophobic attitudes in some of Africa’s wealthier nations despite policymakers from Cape to Cairo insisting that the free movement of people is key for economic transformation.
The AU may want a borderless continent where its 1.2 billion people can move freely between nations, similar to the European Union, but it seems there is no shortage of obstacles.
South Africa appears to be the most visible representative of the continent’s visa double standard, remaining largely closed to other Africans but more welcoming to the wider world.
