Raila urges African leaders to abolish visa restrictions for free continental movement
By Valerian Khakayi, July 23, 2025Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called on African leaders to abolish visa restrictions, arguing that free movement is the first bold step towards continental integration.
Speaking during the International Conference on Africa’s Democracy (ICAD 2025) held at the NAF Centre, Abuja, Nigeria, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Raila emphasised that the economic and social gains of free movement across Africa vastly outweigh the minimal revenue generated from visa fees.
“I have appealed to African leaders to take bold steps toward integrating our continent. First, we must remove visa restrictions for African citizens. The revenue we currently generate from visas is minimal compared to the economic and social gains we would unlock by enabling free movement across Africa,” Odinga said.
Odinga also called for open skies across the continent, arguing that African airlines must be allowed to fly freely between countries and that restricting airspace, given the small number of carriers, hampered connectivity and growth.
“Similarly, I called for open skies across the continent. African airlines must be allowed to fly freely between our countries. With so few carriers, restricting airspace only hampers connectivity and growth,” he added.
“Africa must allow her people to move freely across borders. The vision of unity and economic prosperity cannot be achieved if our people are kept apart.”
The ODM leader, in addition, added that Africa must allow its people to move freely across borders, stressing that the vision of unity and economic prosperity could never be realised if citizens were kept apart.
Raila on youths
Apart from the visa restriction, Odinga also addressed Africa’s youth, stating that they are the majority of the continent’s population. He noted that the young generation holds the potential to realise the dreams of Africa’s founding leaders, dreams that have been deferred for over six decades.
He also emphasised that to harness their potential, African governments must strengthen their governance structures and invest in creating opportunities for young people.
“Finally, I addressed Africa’s youth, now the majority of our population. This generation has the potential to realise the dreams of our continent’s founders, dreams that have been deferred for over six decades. But to harness this potential, African governments must strengthen governance structures and invest in creating opportunities for our young people,” he stated.
“The time for a united, mobile, and empowered Africa is now.”
