The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is working towards establishing a single visa system to deepen regional integration through free movement, which comprises eight countries in East Africa.
The objective of the single visa system is to reduce administrative burdens and promote the seamless movement of tourists and business travelers across the IGAD region, the IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu mentioned at a consultation meeting held on August 28, in Djibouti.
Dr. Gebeyehu also mentioned that the unified electronic visa is expected to facilitate the movement of people and goods across the IGAD region, which comprises eight countries in East Africa.
During the meeting, it was present the provision of the adopted protocol on the Free Movement of Persons and an expletory presentation to explain and determine the technical, legal, and administrative requirements for implementing the IGAD single visa system, today, in Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti.
The IGAD Executive Secretary emphasized the advantages of a unified electronic visa and is reasonable to expect that a streamlined visa process will trigger a surge in trade activities among our Member States.
“I invite you to imagine with me an IGAD region where entrepreneurs move effortlessly to seize opportunities, where researchers collaborate seamlessly on ground-breaking projects, where tourists freely visit all our diverse landscapes and attractions, and where students experience a borderless exchange of knowledge” Dr Workneh underlined.
Note that the establishment of a single visa system aligns with the African Union Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Member States are expected to take the Memorandum of Understanding to their respective countries to discuss with their counterpart and indicate their willingness to participate within 20 days.
The Free Movement Protocol was endorsed in February 2020 by IGAD MS Ministers in charge of Internal Affairs and Labour.
The Agreement Establishing IGAD in Article 7 and Article 13 calls upon the IGAD Member State to deepen regional integration through, among other things, creating a regime of free movement of persons, right of residence, and right of establishment.
IGAD MS has embarked on the process of establishing a free movement regime since 2017
