Group urges AU to scrap visa barriers to boost integration
Port Harcourt, April 2026 (TBL Africa) Dr Prince Mbachi, the President, Africa Global Development for Positive Change Initiative (ADIafrica), has called on the African Union (AU) to abolish visa requirements across African countries to promote integration and development.
Mbachi made the call during the presentation of scholarships to 13 indigent university students from Egbeke Community in Etche LGA of Rivers, on Tuesday.
He said that nine others received skill acquisition grants, while over 150 persons underwent free eye check with prescribed glasses given to those in need.
He expressed concern over the stringent requirements during visa processing for African routes.
According to him, easing movement across the continent would enhance trade, cooperation and unity among African nations.
Mbachi emphasised the need for AU to fully implement its visa-on-arrival policy to ease movement across member states.
He cited personal experiences with visa delays, saying that the situation posed a major challenge to intra-African travel and collaboration.
He commended countries that had adopted liberal visa policies, saying that such measures encourage tourism, investment and regional integration.
He expressed concern over the state of leadership in Africa and called for reforms within continental institutions.
Mbachi further urged the continental body to emulate structures that promote regional cooperation and seamless mobility, similar to other global blocs.
He decried the rising tensions and conflicts among Africans in some countries, describing the situation as detrimental to the continent’s progress.
He urged Africans to embrace unity and peaceful coexistence to achieve sustainable development.
Mbachi further called for urgent intervention by relevant authorities in addressing issues affecting Africans in other parts of the continent, including South Africa.
He said that African leaders must take proactive steps to strengthen governance systems and ensure inclusiveness.
He challenged civil society organisations to actively engage leaders through dialogue to drive meaningful change.
He said that constructive engagement, rather than confrontation, remains the best approach to achieving development goals.
Speaking on the scholarships, he said that the gesture was meant to enhance education and reduce youth restiveness in the community, state and the country at large.
He emphasised the need to empower the youths through education, adding that it would boost their confidence to be better leaders in their different fields after their education.
Also, the Project Manager of Stephen and Judith International Education Foundation, Mr Monday Ezeh, called on African leaders to prioritise policies that would unite Africans as brothers.
Ezeh also urged Africans to be their brother’s keeper, embrace peace and unity, and support each other.
He urged the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme to make judicious use of what they recieved.
Some of the beneficiaries thanked the organisers for remembering their community and promised not to take the opportunity given to them for granted.
