President John Mahama has announced that Ghana will introduce a free visa policy for all African citizens starting May 25, in celebration of Africa Day.
Under the new arrangement, travellers from across Africa will be able to apply online for an e-visa at no cost, eliminating financial barriers that have long restricted free movement on the continent.
The announcement was made during bilateral talks with Emmerson Mnangagwa on the sidelines of an African Union summit.
“I’m also pleased to announce that effective 25th May 2026, when we commemorate Africa Day, Ghana will commence a free visa regime for all Africans. Africans travelling to Ghana will receive their e-visas online, free of charge. But between Ghana and Zimbabwe, in Laos, we have a visa-free environment already.”
“You can travel to each other’s countries without needing a visa. You just hop onto the plane and arrive in each other’s country,” he said on Thursday.
Although visa fees will be waived, the government emphasized that security will remain a priority.
Mahama assured the public that robust screening systems have been put in place to assess all applicants before travel authorisation is granted.
At present, only a few African countries—such as Rwanda, Seychelles, and The Gambia offer visa-free access to all African travellers.
