Ghana: visa abolished for all Africans as of May 2026

Ghana is set to take a major step toward free movement on the continent. The country will establish visa-free access for all African passport holders, thus becoming the fifth African state to adopt such a policy, as confirmed by the Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to Business Insider, the measure will take effect on May 25, 2026, on Africa Day. The announcement was made during the state visit of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This decision follows the commitments made by former head of state Nana Akufo-Addo, who had promised the removal of visas for Africans during his State of the Nation address in January 2025, though he was unable to implement this reform before the end of his term. With this initiative, Ghana joins Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and the Seychelles, already engaged in a visa-exemption policy for African nationals.

This reform marks a turning point in the country’s immigration policy, by removing the obligation to obtain a visa prior to entry. It will also coincide with the launch of a new electronic visa system designed to simplify procedures while ensuring a high level of border security. Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa noted that this measure strengthens Ghana’s historic role as the cradle of Pan-Africanism, while promoting tourism and economic exchanges on the continent.

Since 2025, Ghana has also concluded 23 visa-exemption agreements for its own citizens, thereby expanding their travel options. The authorities hope that this openness will strengthen intra-African mobility, boost business and leisure travel, and support economic integration within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.