Travel Restrictions: Dangote’s Ordeal and Nigeria’s New Visa Policy for Investors and Tourists
The recent African CEO summit in Kigali, Rwanda, exposed a major hurdle to African business development: restrictive visa policies.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, highlighted the absurdity of the situation. As a Nigerian businessman, he revealed the grueling process of obtaining visas for 35 African countries. Dangote recounted a specific instance where a business trip required him to submit excessive documentation and wait weeks for approval, significantly delaying his project.
“I still complained to President Kagame,” he told the audience at the summit. “I told him that, as an investor, I have to now apply for 35 different visas on my passport, and I told Mr President, I don’t have the time to go and be dropping my passports at embassies to get a visa.”
Impact on Business
These bureaucratic hurdles aren’t just frustrating, they’re bad for business. Imagine a potential investor who wants to explore opportunities in several African nations. Visa complications can lead to missed meetings, delayed project timelines, and increased operational costs, ultimately discouraging investment.
In contrast, Dangote pointed out that his French counterpart, Patrick Pouyanne (CEO of Total Energies), could access all 54 African countries with just his French passport.
“But you see, the most annoying thing is that, yes, if you are treating everybody the same, then I can understand,” Dangote said.
“You don’t need 35 visas on your French Passport. This means you have a freer movement than myself in Africa,” he jokingly added.
Poor Strategies Hinder Growth
This lack of visa reciprocity stifles the very idea of a unified African market. Experts have long criticized the fragmented approach, where initiatives like the African Union and regional bodies like ECOWAS haven’t addressed the issue effectively. This is a major reason why intra-African trade remains below 16%, despite the continent’s vast potential.
While Dangote lamented his struggles, Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo echoed the frustration. He shared his difficulties obtaining a Nigerian visa, calling the process “shege [stressful] Pro Max.”
Nigeria’s New Visa Policy Offers Renewed Hope
However, there’s a glimmer of hope. Nigeria’s recent Executive Council meeting announced a new policy promising visa processing for investors and tourists within 48 hours.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this after the end of the meeting, stressing that “Our visa processes are becoming cumbersome. The ease of doing business is also tied to our visa processes. Going forward, investors and tourists would find it easy to acquire a visa within the next 48 hours.”
This initiative has been applauded by industry players, but some remain cautious. Kenya recently announced a similar visa-free entry for Africans, but implementation hasn’t materialized.
Challenges and Considerations for Success
For Nigeria’s new policy to succeed, experts say some concerns need to be addressed. There’s a question of whether the country provide adequate resources to handle a potential surge in applications. Additionally, efficient implementation is crucial to avoid bureaucratic delays and potential corruption.
“The success of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) hinges on dismantling these barriers,” noted Elias Makori, a business analyst. “While challenges remain, there are positive examples. Take Rwanda, for instance, which has implemented a successful visa-on-arrival program, boosting tourism and foreign investment.”
He added, “If we have a continent where businesspeople like Dangote can move freely, unburdened by visa hurdles, then Africa is poised for economic growth. By implementing efficient visa programs and learning from success stories like Rwanda, African nations can finally turn the dream of a unified market into reality.”
