Hilma Nalupe
The Trans Africa Tourism and Unity campaign, an ambitious road journey championing visa-free travel across the continent, made its way to Windhoek last Thursday.
The initiative, endorsed by the Government of Ghana and led by former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Ras Mubarak, is on a mission to highlight the economic and social potential of seamless travel within Africa.
The eight-member team, having already travelled nearly 10 000 kilometres from Accra, Ghana, was welcomed in Windhoek by the Deputy Commissioner of the Ghana High Commission.
Their journey has so far taken them through nine countries: Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. In total, the campaign will cover 39 countries and 40 000 kilometres over 163 days, concluding in January 2026.
At the heart of the campaign is a call for a visa-free policy for Africans travelling across African borders.
Mubarak stressed that the initiative is not merely symbolic but a push for tangible policy change.
“The Trans Africa Tourism and Unity Campaign is a call to action for African leaders to prioritise the free movement of people, goods and services across our continent. By removing visa barriers, we can unlock the full potential of African tourism, create jobs and stimulate economic growth,” echoed Mubarak.
The campaign has already secured endorsements from several governments, including Angola, the DRC, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Benin and Equatorial Guinea.
At each stop, the team engages with government officials, tourism stakeholders and the public to strengthen support for greater mobility across Africa.
For Namibia, the campaign’s arrival underscores the country’s positioning as a regional tourism hub.
With its emphasis on conservation, eco-tourism and cross-border travel through areas such as the Zambezi region, Namibia is demonstrating how responsible tourism can drive sustainable development while also showcasing Africa’s shared natural heritage.
Reflecting on Namibia’s role, Mubarak said the country exemplifies what Africa stands to gain from greater integration. He further stated: “Namibia has shown through its conservation and tourism policies that tourism can be a driver of both growth and unity. Our campaign seeks to build on such examples to show the rest of Africa what is possible when we open our borders”.
While challenges remain around immigration policy, security and implementation, the Trans Africa Tourism and Unity campaign has sparked renewed debate about tourism’s role in shaping Africa’s future.
By drawing attention to visa barriers, the initiative invites African governments to consider how easing restrictions could expand markets, attract investment and deepen continental unity.
The journey continues, with Ras Mubarak and his team pressing forward through Southern Africa and beyond, while preaching that the free movement of people across Africa is key to unlocking tourism growth and fostering a more connected continent.
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Photo: Heather Erdmann