We should make it easier for Africans to travel and invest across the continent – Dangote

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has raised concerns about visa restrictions among African countries.

He argued that the barriers are making it difficult for Africans to travel, invest and do business across the continent.

He said African countries must make it easier for their citizens to move across borders if the continent is to unlock its economic potential and deepen intra-African investment.

Dangote made the remarks on Monday, September 21, when he spoke at the “Accra Reset: Full Circle – Making Global Development Work Again” event on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“If I'm not going to have a visa to a country, for example, even in Africa, why should I invest?” Mr Dangote asked.

He questioned why Europeans could sometimes travel to African countries more easily than Africans travelling within the continent.

“Why are you allowing a European, let me not say whether British or a European, to visit Africa much, much more easier than me as an African? It does not make sense,” he said.

Mr Dangote argued that the continent’s young and growing population presents significant opportunities for economic transformation if the potential was converted into actual investments.

According to him, African countries must also build greater confidence in the continent and encourage businesses to invest locally rather than looking outside Africa for opportunities.

Mr Dangote said his group had committed about $46 billion in investments across Africa between now and 2030, describing the move as a demonstration of confidence in the continent’s future.

He said Africa’s economic prospects are significant, particularly because much of its population is young, while populations in several other parts of the world are ageing.