NEWS
Africa’s Richest Man Says He Needs 35 Visas To Travel In Africa – Way More Than A European Visitor
Even Africa’s wealthiest man has trouble traveling in his own continent.
Despite doing business in multiple countries, Nigerian-born Aliko Dangote complains he faces far more hurdles crossing Africa than visitors with European passports ever do.
“As an investor, as someone who wants to make Africa great, I have to apply for 35 different visas on my passport,” Dangote told the recent Africa CEO Forum in Kigali.
“I really don’t have the time to go and drop off my passport in embassies to get a visa,” he said to laughter from the audience.
The 67-year-old entrepreneur’s visa woes have reignited a fresh firestorm about the frustrations of traveling within Africa for Africans.
It’s even more infuriating for many Africans that European passports from former colonial masters have more visa-free access in Africa than many African passports.
It’s a point Dangote made powerfully in Kigali, when he turned to the French executive next to him and deadpanned: “I can assure you that Patrick (Pouyanné, CEO of Total Energies) doesn’t need 35 visas on a French passport, which means you have freer movement than myself in Africa.”
Dangote commended Rwanda, which eliminated visas for all African nationals in 2023. Benin, The Gambia and Seychelles also offer visa-free access to all Africans.
But many African countries still require visas from other Africans and the experience is fraught with discrimination, hostility and sky-high fees.
‘Humiliating Experience’
Nigerian travel filmmaker Tayo Aina says he was forced to give a stool sample in front of an Ethiopian immigration officer, to confirm he hadn’t ingested any drugs, when he landed in Addis Ababa in April 2021.
“It was my most humiliating experience traveling within Africa,” he told CNN by phone from London. He has also been detained at airports in Kenya and South Africa because of his Nigerian passport.
This year, Aina announced that he bought a passport from the Caribbean country of St Kitts and Nevis for $150,000 so he can travel more freely.
“Sometimes you go to a country, and it is no longer visa-on-arrival. There are cases where people get deported when they land because they changed the policy mid-flight,” the 31-year-old YouTuber says.
The African Union has said one of its goals is to remove “restrictions on Africans’ ability to travel, work and live within their own continent by transforming restrictive laws and promoting visa-free travel” but implementation has been slow. Free movement within the continent is a critical part of the African Continental Free Trade Area, but action hasn’t followed the commitments.
The fear of permanent migration is one of the reasons why African nations don’t make it easy for other Africans to visit, migration researcher Alan Hirsch told CNN.
“There’s a fear in richer African countries that people from poorer nations might be looking for a way to permanently move there,” he explains.
“A lot of Africans cross borders informally and we don’t have a real record of that. Some countries fear people applying for asylum and then disappearing under the radar.”
The retired University of Cape Town professor runs a program on migration at the New South Institute think tank in Johannesburg. He says the integrity of passport and visa systems especially in poorer African countries has also held back Africans’ mobility. “People have found illegal ways of obtaining passports, for example someone pretending to be Burundian without actually being from that country.”
Fresh bottlenecks
While Africans can move relatively freely within their regions, traveling further away is still challenging. Travelers from East African Community countries don’t need a visa within the block and most parts of Southern and West Africa are open to nationals from the respective regions.
But even what looks like progress can introduce some fresh bottlenecks. A Nigerian visa on arrival used to be $25 for Kenyan passport holders. But after changes to the application process, Kenyans now have to apply for a Nigerian e-visa in advance, at a cost of $215.
Kenyan President William Ruto famously promised to eliminate visas for everybody traveling to the East African nation. He introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization instead but the application process is similar to that of a visa. It costs $30 without processing fees and approval may take several days. Many visa applications require an application form, bank statements, flight and hotel bookings. Applicants are often rejected for incomplete documentation or for unclear reasons.
“South Africa held my passport for almost five months,” the Nigerian content creator Tayo says.
His new St Kitts passport allows him to go to more African countries than his Nigerian passport.
Culled from CNN.
NEWS
Ibadan Funfair Tragedy: Former Ooni’s Wife, Others Remanded Over Stampede
A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has ordered the remand of Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, along with Oriyomi Hamzat, the CEO of Agidigbo FM, and Abdullahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School, at the Agodi Correctional Centre.
The trio was arraigned on Tuesday in connection with the recent tragic stampede that occurred during a Christmas funfair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.
The incident, which claimed the lives of 35 children and injured six others, has drawn widespread public and legal attention.
Presiding over the case, Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi issued the remand order following charges brought against the defendants. The police prosecutor stated that their alleged offences contravened Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
READ MORE: States Tighten Measures To Prevent Stampedes At Events
The prosecution accused the defendants of being involved in the organization of the event, which turned disastrous, leading to the stampede. Pending legal advice from the Oyo State Director of Public Prosecutions, the court directed their detention at the correctional facility.
The court session, held amidst heavy security, attracted significant public interest. Law enforcement officers were seen providing tight security as the suspects were escorted to and from the courtroom.
Further updates on the legal proceedings are expected as investigations continue.
NEWS
Labour Kicks Against N935/Litre Petrol, Wants More
A cry has gone out for further reduction of the pump prices of premium motor spirit (PMS) in Nigeria to reflect local domestic production of refined products.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)has urged further reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol, insisting that the recent drop in price to N935/litre was begging the situation.
Recall that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in partnership with MRS recently announced a reduction in petrol price to N935/litre.
Before the announcement, the commodity sold for over N1,030/litre in Lagos and environs, while it cost more than N1,060/litre in Abuja and Northern states.
ALSO READ: CSOs Urge Further Reduction Of Pump Prices Of Petrol
In a swift reaction, on Sunday, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said its members would be selling petrol at N935/litre from Monday based on the latest arrangement with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
IPMAN’s National President, Maigandi Garima,, according The Punch, said the reduction in Dangote refinery’s ex-depot price for petrol and the uniform arrangement being put in place, would enable marketers to sell at N935 in their outlets nationwide.
They had set aside N36/litre as cost of logistics.
However, the announcement did not excite the NLC, which insisted on Monday that the cost of petrol should drop further.
A senior official of the NLC, Chris Onyeka, unequivocally rejected any commendation for the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) over the recent reduction in the pump price of petrol.
He argued that the current pricing mechanism does not reflect the true cost of the commodity, according to The Punch.
“Do you want us to clap for them? How can we be okay with a price of N935/litre of PMS? This is not the right price for PMS. You cannot base the price on imported products when we have refining capacity in Nigeria,” he said.
He argued that the costs embedded in the current pricing framework — including foreign labour, freight charges, insurance, logistics, and profits accrued abroad — unfairly burden Nigerians.
“Products are refined in Nigeria, yet the price you give Nigerians is based on imported products. Why should we applaud that? It is akin to someone stealing your money and returning only part of it, then expecting you to clap. We cannot applaud this,” he stated.
Onyeka stressed that the only way to ascertain the correct price of PMS is by determining the actual cost of refining it domestically.
“We need to know how much it costs the NNPC to refine a litre of PMS in our local refineries, such as the Port Harcourt refinery. That is the price Nigerians should be paying,” he emphasised.
He called on the government to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians by ensuring that fuel pricing aligns with local realities.
“This country belongs to all Nigerians. Let the government do the right thing that allows Nigerians to breathe. Let the poor breathe.
“The NLC’s position underscores growing discontent among Nigerians over the rising cost of living, with fuel prices being a major contributor to inflation and economic hardship,” he stated.
NEWS
No Regrets On Subsidy Removal, Tax Reforms To Continue – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu, during his first Presidential Media Chat aired on the Nigerian Television Authority on Monday, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the ongoing tax reforms and subsidy removal, maintaining that the measures are essential to securing Nigeria’s economic future.
The tax reforms, designed to eliminate colonial-era practices and widen the tax net, have faced significant resistance from some quarters, particularly from northern lawmakers and governors. Despite this, Tinubu declared, “Tax reform is here to stay. We cannot just continue to do what we were doing yesteryears in today’s economy.”
The reforms, encapsulated in four bills transmitted to the National Assembly, aim to streamline taxation and revenue generation.
However, critics, including Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, have argued for caution. “The Petroleum Industry Bill took almost 20 years before it was finally passed. This tax reform bill is being transmitted and receiving legislative attention within a week. It should be treated carefully and with caution,” Zulum said in an interview with BBC.
Despite calls for broader consultations and delays, Tinubu emphasized the pro-poor nature of the reforms, noting that the vulnerable would not be taxed. “The essence of the tax reform is to eliminate colonial-based assumptions in our tax environment,” he stated.
READ MORE: President Tinubu Set For First Nationwide Media Chat Tonight
No Regrets Over Subsidy Removal
Addressing the economic hardship resulting from the removal of the petrol subsidy, Tinubu defended his decision as necessary to prevent Nigeria from “spending its future.” He dismissed the notion of a phased removal, stating, “Phased removal is part of unnecessary fear. No matter how you cut it, you still have to meet the bills.”
The President highlighted the benefits of subsidy removal, pointing out that the policy had curtailed smuggling and freed up resources for more productive uses. “There is no way that you give out fuel and allow all the neighbouring countries as Father Christmas. I don’t have any regret whatsoever in removing the subsidy,” he said.
Tackling Inflation and Corruption
Tinubu also discussed his administration’s strategies to reduce inflation, emphasizing local production and import reduction. “If one produces more for consumption locally, stop imports, give a reasonable level of funding and assistance… we have what it takes,” he explained.
On corruption, the President cited increased earnings for workers and stricter oversight by anti-corruption agencies as key measures. He pointed to the recent seizure of hundreds of properties reportedly owned by a former Central Bank Governor as evidence of his administration’s efforts. “Part of the anti-corruption is removal of subsidy. It is very difficult to eliminate but you reduce it to the barest minimum,” Tinubu stated.
Food Stampedes and Governance
The President expressed condolences over recent tragic stampedes during food distribution events, attributing the incidents to poor organization by event planners. “If you don’t have enough to give, don’t attempt to give or publicize it,” he warned.
Tinubu concluded by reaffirming his commitment to efficient governance and economic reforms, stating, “The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what you have to do at the time it has to be done.”
The reforms continue to spark nationwide debates, with stakeholders divided over their potential long-term impacts.