As part of the effort to promote unity among African countries, African Union (AU), through the recently launched All-Africa passport, is pursuing a path of economic growth for Africa, unrestricted access into African countries and continental integration. This disclosure was made by the Senior Programmes and Project Officer, African Academy of Languages, African Union,

Dr Babajide Johnson, in an exclusive interview on “Meet your African CEO" on CEOARICA Online Television. With the exception of Morocco that left the commission in 1984 and Central African Republic (CAR) that was suspended from the commission in 2013, the new passport grants Africans unrestricted access visa-free to all the 54 countries on the continent that are members of the AU.

Dr Johnson revealed that this “common” passport launched by the commission at the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, is expected to ease movement of Africans travelling to and from the numerous countries on the continent.

He explained that the One-African passport was created to  boost the continent’s socioeconomic development, reduce trade barriers and allow people, ideas, goods, services and capital easy mobility across borders without unnecessary limitations and restrictions.

Since the AU is involved in organising programmes and projects to encourage entrepreneurship in Africa, he also noted that this development will encourage entrepreneurs who wish to start up their business in different countries of the continent to do so legally and without restrictions. All citizens of the African Union are expected to have a copy of the new passport by 2018.