President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana will introduce a free visa policy for all African citizens, effective May 25, 2026, to mark Africa Day.
Under the new arrangement, travellers from across the continent will be able to apply for e-visas online at no cost, a move aimed at removing financial barriers to movement and strengthening regional integration.
The announcement was made during bilateral talks with Zimbabwean President 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,” he said.
“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 added.
Despite the removal of visa fees, government says security measures will remain firmly in place. President Mahama assured that all applicants will be subjected to proper screening before travel authorisation is granted.
The initiative places Ghana among a small group of African countries, including Rwanda, Seychelles, and The Gambia, that offer visa-free or highly accessible entry to all African nationals.
The policy is expected to boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people connections, while reinforcing Ghana’s position as a gateway for Pan-African engagement.
