The African Union (AU) has long championed a borderless Africa to increase the movement of African citizens and support economic growth across the continent. This vision is shared by many like-minded leaders, reflected in the swathe of visa-policy changes over the last 12 months. However, defining and implementing borderless policy interventions presents many challenges and contradictions.
Advocates of digital solutions such as eVisas and Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA) highlight the powerful combination of convenience for travelers and enhanced security screening. Twenty-six African countries offer eVisas to African travelers today, a huge improvement from previous years. Following in the footsteps of the U.K., Canada, and the U.S., more countries, like the Seychelles and Kenya, have embraced next-generation ETAs, offering visa-free entry for all travelers.
For African travelers, these digital systems offer a seamless online experience, ensuring that individuals do not encounter any issues at the border. ETAs are proven to enhance security screening while simultaneously facilitating seamless travel – driving an 84% decrease in queuing times at Seychelles International Airport and an 80% reduction in processing times in Kenya.
The challenge underlining the AU’s position is staunch opposition to any pre-travel screening, championing the principle that travel for African nationals should not require pre-authorization. While eradicating visa requirements would remove much friction for these travelers, this approach often fails to account for valid security concerns that necessitate advanced screening.
Digitalizing immigration processes gives travelers a faster, cost-effective, and convenient experience – eliminating burdensome paperwork and expensive travel to embassies. International best practice dictates that border control processes are moved upstream and completed before travel so authorities can have advance notice of who plans to travel. With more time, authorities can better risk-assess travelers and plan interventions if someone is perceived as a threat.
Loading...
A seamless border should not compromise security in favor of the traveler experience, but the elimination of visas in the name of openness risks exactly that. By introducing an eVisa or ETA, governments can reap the benefits of advance screening and make travel more affordable, secure, and accessible to visitors. The time is now for a paradigm shift in favor of digital systems to deliver the future of travel, today.
Loading...