– The AU will meet at its 27th summit in Kigali in July
– The e-passport will be launched which will allow easy movement of Africans within the continent
– Heads of governments will begin its use first before it is circulated
The African Union has announced that it will start issuing the electronic passport which will be launched in Rwanda. According the CCTV Africa, this move will be officially made in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda in July.
The conception of the passport started from 2014 and is part of Africa’s agenda of 2063. The electronic passport is expected to be highly beneficial as it expected to facilitate free movement of persons, goods and services across Africa, foster intra-Africa trade, integration and socio-economic development. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma who is the outgoing chairman of the African Union Commission described the project as significant and symbolic. She said it was a step “towards the objective creation of a strong, prosperous and integrated Africa, driven by its citizens and capable of taking its rightful place in the world stage.” At the 27th AU summit in Kigali, the e-passport will initially be issued and used by African Union heads of state and government, foreign affairs ministers and the permanent representatives of the African Union member states.
Some African countries such as Seychelles, Mauritius, Rwanda and Ghana have taken the lead in ensuring easy access across Africa by relaxing visa restrictions and in some cases lifting visa requirements altogether for Africans. By 2020, travelling within Africa is expected to be visa-free. What do you think about this and do you plan to get the e-passport? Share your though in the comment section
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