Movement of persons in Africa remains constrained despite progress

A recent article published on The Conversation observes that despite decades of continental agreements, travel between African countries remains still today difficult, with important economic implications. Legal fragmentation, weak institutional frameworks, security concerns, and limited mutual recognition of documents and qualifications are major barriers to human mobility within the continent. These same obstacles also hinder the movement of goods and services, limiting the economic benefits envisioned under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The African Union's Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, adopted in 2018, has been ratified so far by only four of the 55 African Union's member states. Low ratification and slow implementation restrict not only the movement of people but also cross-border trade, service delivery, and regional economic integration. A 2017 report from the Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa noted that generally, what the RECs try to achieve at regional level, "is the opposite of what member states actually do at national level", clarifying that while at regional level, African leaders have adopted a liberal approach to migration, at national level, states are more protectionist and restrictive in their approach to migration governance. While the latest edition of the African Visa Openness Index shows modest improvements (from 20% visa-free travel in 2016 to 28% today), progress remains slow and mostly driven by bilateral or regional initiatives rather than continental reforms.

Specifically, key barriers to mobility are identified in:

• Institutional and administrative weaknesses: Population registration, identification systems, and passport issuance remain underdeveloped in many countries. Weak documentation systems reduce trust among neighboring states and complicate customs procedures, slowing the movement of both people and goods.
• Inequality between countries: Large differences in income, governance, and social services generate fears of uncontrolled migration and uneven trade benefits, especially in wealthier African nations. This affects border policies and delays the harmonization of trade regulations.
• Security concerns: Countries with weak law enforcement or high security risks often impose stricter border controls, introducing delays, inefficiencies, and higher costs in cross-border trade.

African initiatives to facilitate mobility date back decades. The 1991 Abuja Treaty (Chhapter VI) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (art.12) both recognize the principle of free movement of African citizens. But unlike the AfCFTA, which has a dedicated Secretariat with broad support, the free movement protocol currently lacks formal implementation structures, even though it is intended to complement the AfCFTA and despite the fact that the Migration Policy Framework for Africa and Plan of Action (2018-2030) provides detailed guidance for implementing such a Protocol.

One effective strategy suggested in the article is an incremental, phased approach based on pilot programs for specific groups, such as traders, professionals, or service providers. These groups could travel visa-free under controlled frameworks, building trust and demonstrating benefits before extending free movement to broader populations.

This approach mirrors the ASEAN experience, where member states prioritized business people and "skilled persons"—including investors, professional service providers, traders, and students in high-demand sectors—through relaxed visa requirements. Over time, ASEAN plans to extend free movement to additional categories. Adopting a similar phased model in Africa could support gradual implementation of the Free Movement of Persons Protocol. Notably, the AfCFTA protocol on trade in services already provides a legal basis for visa-free movement of certain professionals and business persons, making this approach feasible.

Other complementary measures that are recommended include:

• Formalizing informal cross-border trade: Legal recognition, simplified customs procedures, and travel documentation for traders can reduce friction at borders and build trust. This not only facilitates the lawful movement of goods but also creates pathways for traders, service providers, and laborers, acting as a practical pilot mechanism for broader mobility reforms.
• Mutual recognition of skills and qualifications: Facilitates labor and service flows.
• Special economic zones and harmonized visa policies: Targeted zones can demonstrate the benefits of freer movement.
• Capacity-building support: Technical assistance and digital border management strengthen countries with weaker institutional infrastructure.
• Continental and regional forums: Regular exchanges on migration and trade policy help monitor implementation, share best practices, and guide deeper reforms.

Human mobility and the movement of goods are deeply interconnected. Barriers to the free movement of people directly limit cross-border trade and the economic potential of the AfCFTA. Incremental, targeted reforms-especially pilot programs modeled on ASEAN's phased approach-can enhance both mobility and trade, advancing Africa toward fuller continental integration and sustainable economic growth.