#Africa
Good news about travelling in Africa ~ The launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Single African Air Transport Market are major milestones in the creation of a regulatory environment that promotes air connectivity and makes it faster, less expensive and easier for Africans to travel within Africa.
In this 3rd edition of the Africa Visa Openness Index Report 2018 published by the African Development Bank and the Africa Union Commission, the findings show that on average, African countries are becoming more open to each other. The top 20 most visa-open countries continue to improve their average score, reflecting the countries’ more liberal visa policies. In addition, 43 countries improved or maintained their score.
Benin made the most progress in opening up its borders to African travellers, moving from 27th place in the 2017 edition to 1st place in the 2018 report. Zimbabwe also broke into the top 20 with the introduction of a visa-on-arrival policy for SADC members. Overall, when compared to 2017, Africans do not need a visa to travel to 25% of other African countries (up from 22%); can get visas on arrival in 24% of other African countries (same as last year); and need visas to travel to 51% of other African countries (down from 54%).
However, the fact that Africans still require visas to travel to just over half of other African countries shows that more progress is needed to realise free movement of people continent-wide. As infrastructure expands across Africa, and tangible trade and investment opportunities are put on the table, Africans will need to travel with greater ease. Solutions such as the African passport, visa-free regional blocs, multi-year visas, or visa-on-arrival schemes should continue to be promoted. [APRA]
#CapeVerde
Here's Why You Should Visit Cape Verde ~ Made up of ten volcanic beautiful islands, Cape Verde is a small country located in the central Atlantic Ocean. With amazing beaches, great hiking areas, scuba diving sites, and cute towns, it’s also a piece of paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors. [AFK Travel]
#Ethiopia
Thanks to major political reforms and relaxed visa rules, Ethiopia has emerged as a destination and a transfer hub for long-haul travel to sub-Saharan Africa in 2018. Data from the travel intelligence agency ForwardKeys shows Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport has overtaken Dubai as the leading gateway to the region. As such, travel bookings between Nov. 2018 and Jan. 2019 are set to grow over 40% based on a year-on-year growth; way ahead of other destinations in Africa and a significant jump from the January
#Mozambique
The Longest Suspension Bridge in Africa is Open ~ Mozambique’s Katembe bridge spans just over three kilometres across the Maputo Bay in southern Mozambique and will help connect the Mozambican capital of Maputo on the northern bank with Katembe on the southern bank. While the bridge is a major accomplishment for development in Southern Africa, the bridge is also expected to have a direct impact on South Africans and Mozambicans travelling between the two countries. [BusinessTech, ZWNews]
#Nigeria
Biola Alabi is transforming the broadcasting and film industry in Africa with a focus on locally produced content, not imported Western fare. She launched seven Africa Magic channels, including some in indigenous languages, which according to industry players the “backbone of African content.” She even came up with the “African Oscars,” as the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards are known. [Ozy]
#Rwanda
African high-tech player Mara have announced the production of their newest product the Maraphone. This is the first made-in-Africa, full-scale smartphone, that will be manufactured in plants across Africa.“This project will show the potential and ability that Africa can produce high quality and affordable smartphones in Africa, by Africans, for Africans and for the rest of the world,” said Ashish Thakkar, founder of Mara Group Thakkar. [Ventures Africa]
#SouthAfrica
Congratulations Cape Town! The city was named the ‘World’s Leading Festival and Events Destination’ at the 2018 World Travel Awards that took place at the Pátio da Galé, in Lisbon, earlier this month. [CapeTown | photo Travelstart]
"There's one Nelson Mandela, one Malala, one Mary Robinson, and there's one you, and you need to do your part." ~ Elizabeth Nyamayaro, senior advisor to Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director for UN Women
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