Ghana has announced plans to grant visa-free entry to all African passport holders, a move aimed at boosting regional integration, tourism and intra-African trade.
The policy, confirmed by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will take effect on May 25, 2026, to coincide with the celebration of Africa Day.
With the new measure, Ghana will become the fifth African nation to allow visa-free entry for all Africans, joining Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda and Seychelles.
The announcement was made during the state visit of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and builds on an earlier pledge by former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, who promised visa-free travel for Africans during his final State of the Nation Address in January 2025. The initiative, however, was not implemented before the end of his administration.
Under the new framework, African travellers will no longer need pre-arrival visas to enter Ghana, marking a major shift in the country’s immigration and travel regulations.
The policy will also coincide with the launch of Ghana’s new e-visa system next month, designed to simplify entry procedures while maintaining border security.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the decision reinforces the country’s long-standing commitment to Pan-Africanism and is expected to promote tourism, business travel and mobility across the continent.
Officials also said the move aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to strengthen economic integration and expand trade among African nations.
