During the 30th Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Accra, Ghana, billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote emphasized the importance of African countries liberalizing integration and facilitating easy entry and exit for Africans. He urged the continent to support visa on arrival policies in order to promote trade and investment opportunities and boost inter- and intra-African trade.

Dangote shared a personal experience where he encountered difficulties obtaining a visa while a British individual with a British passport faced no such obstacles. He stressed the need for African countries to make it easier for Africans, including successful businesspeople, to invest and contribute to economic growth on the continent.

Mohamed Maait, Chairman of the Afreximbank Annual Meetings, highlighted the objective of economic integration in Africa as stated in the Organisation of African Unity’s treaty documents. He emphasized the importance of harnessing trade and investment to foster economic growth.

The event was attended by prominent figures including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, and former Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment Niyi Adebayo.

Given the various challenges Africa has faced, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine crisis, rising debt, and insecurity, it is crucial for African countries to find solutions to propel the continent forward and unlock its vast resources and investment potential.