The governments of Ghana and Algeria have signed a landmark visa-free agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation between the two countries.
- Ghana and Algeria signed a visa waiver agreement to allow visa-free travel between the two countries.
- This deal aims to renew the longstanding ties between Ghana and Algeria dating back to their post-independence years.
- Ghana recently abolished all visa requirements for African nationals, becoming the fifth African country to do so.
The visa-free agreement, which allows citizens to travel between Ghana and Algeria without requiring a visa, was signed during an official visit to Algiers by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The announcement followed high-level meetings with Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf.
Beyond the visa-free travel pact, the two countries discussed expanding scholarship opportunities for Ghanaian students in key fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and engineering.
Plans were also laid out to launch a direct flight between Accra and Algiers, establish partnerships in oil and gas, and boost collaboration in security and intelligence sharing.
Additionally, both countries agreed to revive their Joint Economic Cooperation program. Officials described the visit as a step forward in renewing the longstanding friendship between Ghana and Algeria, which dates back to the early post-independence years of both nations.
Ghana removes visa barriers
Ghana has made clear its intention to open its doors for business across the continent. Earlier this year, the country took a landmark step by abolishing all visa requirements for nationals of African countries.
This bold policy shift means all African passport holders can now visit Ghana without the need for a visa, as announced by outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo.
With this move, Ghana became the fifth African country to eliminate visa requirements for all other African nations.
The others are Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia and Benin.
Analysts view the decision as a significant breakthrough in addressing one of the key non-tariff barriers that has long hindered intra-African trade.
Travel for business across the continent remains a major challenge for investors, many of whom face time-consuming visa processes when moving from one African country to another.
In addition to its agreement with Algeria, Ghana has also initiated steps to waive visa requirements with Morocco.
In March, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, revealed that both countries had agreed in principle to abolish visas for all categories of travelers.
The agreement, he said, is expected to be presented to both national parliaments for ratification, signaling a deepening of diplomatic and economic relations between Ghana and North African partners.
