Ghana has announced it will open its borders to all African nationals without visa requirements starting May 25, 2026, a move that positions the country as the fifth on the continent to adopt such a policy.
The announcement was made by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that President John Mahama had approved the introduction of a free visa regime for all Africans wishing to visit the country. The new policy takes effect on May 25, a day commemorated annually as Africa Day.
According to Sahara Reporters, Ablakwa disclosed that Mahama made the declaration during the inaugural state visit of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Ghana.
With the move, Ghana joins Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Seychelles as the fifth African nation to offer visa-free entry to all African passport holders.
The visa-free regime will form part of a broader reform of Ghana’s immigration system, including the introduction of a new e-visa platform expected to launch next month. Authorities say the system is designed to streamline entry processes while maintaining border controls.
Experts say the visa-free policy could boost Ghana’s tourism sector significantly, strengthen its position as a regional hub for business and conferences, and support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by easing movement for traders and entrepreneurs.
Further details are still expected regarding the duration of stay for visitors, entry requirements such as passports or digital permits, and security and immigration protocols.
