Renowned Pan-Africanist and Kenyan scholar, Professor Patrick Lumumba, has called on African leaders to dismantle visa barriers across the continent, arguing that the free movement of people and investments is essential to unlocking Africa’s economic potential.
Lumumba made the call while speaking at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026, where he challenged governments to move beyond rhetoric on African integration and implement policies that encourage seamless travel, trade, and investment among African nations.
Expressing his vision for a more united continent, Lumumba said he hopes to witness a future where Africans can travel freely without visa restrictions within Africa.
“I look forward to the day when there will be no visa for an African coming to this country (Nigeria),” he said.
He further illustrated the importance of unrestricted movement by citing a practical example involving investors.
“I look forward to the day when, if I’m an investor in Delta State, I can take my plane from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and arrive here in Asaba without a landing and exit card,” he added.
According to the respected scholar, Africa cannot achieve meaningful economic integration while maintaining policies that make it difficult for Africans to visit, invest, or conduct business in fellow African countries.
He argued that while regional blocs and the African Union have consistently advocated continental integration, bureaucratic immigration procedures continue to discourage investors, entrepreneurs, academics, innovators, and tourists from exploring opportunities across the continent.
Lumumba maintained that Africa’s greatest strength lies not only in its vast natural resources but also in the ability of its people to collaborate across borders. He said easing travel restrictions would promote investment, accelerate trade, facilitate knowledge exchange, and strengthen people-to-people connections.
He noted that investors often encounter unnecessary administrative hurdles when travelling between African countries, despite governments publicly promoting investment and regional cooperation. Removing such barriers, he said, would send a strong signal that Africa is serious about becoming a competitive global economic bloc.
The Pan-Africanist also stressed that economic development requires governments to create an environment where businesses can move freely, markets can expand beyond national borders, and innovation can flourish without restrictive immigration policies.
His remarks align with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to deepen economic integration, increase intra-African trade, and promote the movement of goods, services, and investments across the continent.
Observers say calls for visa liberalisation have gained momentum in recent years, with several African countries adopting visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies for fellow Africans. However, many nations still maintain strict entry requirements that limit cross-border mobility and economic cooperation.
Lumumba concluded by urging African leaders to match their commitments to continental unity with practical reforms, insisting that a truly integrated Africa must allow its citizens to travel, invest, and do business with minimal restrictions.
The Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 brought together policymakers, business leaders, development partners, and investors to explore strategies for driving economic growth, attracting investments, and positioning Delta State as a leading investment destination in Nigeria.
