The African Union’s (AU) long held ambitions for a fully integrated continent is closer to becoming reality this year thanks the vision of one particularly ambitious airline and more governments tweaking their visa policies for fellow Africans. Almost three decades after it was first proposed, African countries finally launched the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM),…
In the last five years, more than 2 million people have found holiday accommodation in Africa through Airbnb which now has over 100,000 listings on the continent.African hosts earned $139 million in the last year, according to a new Airbnb study. By opening up the homes of Africans to visitors, Airbnb has also opened up…
Addis Ababa – IOM, the UN Migration Agency, and the African Union Commission (AUC) have launched a study on the Benefits and Challenges of Free Movement of Persons in Africa. The study – commissioned by the AUC and IOM to further inform deliberations on and work towards continental integration – explores the argument for free movement, while…
Last week, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released its annual Economic Development in Africa report. This year’s report, “Migration for Structural Transformation,” documents African migration trends and highlights the economic impact of migrants and their potential for augmenting growth. Recently, the African Development Bank also released its Annual Development Effectiveness Reviews, which…
Morocco’s fifth bid to host the World Cup, like its previous four, ended in disappointment. After a vote by FIFA member nations on June 13, the “United” bid of the United States, Canada and Mexico was picked ahead of Morocco to host the 2026 World Cup. Morocco notched 65 votes, compared to 134 by the United bid. Crucially,…
As revelers at the inaugural AfroPunk festival in Johannesburg rang in the new year, it set off a year in which the global cultural economy increasingly turned to Africa for inspiration. This attention also came with difficult lessons for the continent’s creatives. Johannesburg was the first time the festival was held in Africa, and months later AfroPunk…
Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has said he needs 38 visas to travel within the continent on his Nigerian passport. Many European nationals, meanwhile, waltz into most Africans countries visa-free. African nations were supposed to scrap visa requirements for all African citizens by 2018. It was a key part of the African Union (AU) “vision…
With a projected growth of 4.9% in and accounting for nearly 9% of the continent’s GDP, Africa’s travel and tourism industry has incredible potential to help generate growth, create jobs and enable development. Which country is best positioned to benefit most from travel and tourism? The World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015 answers this…
Visitors to a cultural festival in Benin: Many potential tourists are interested in experiencing African cultures, not just going on wildlife safaris. Photograph: Panos / George Osodi Jet-lagged, 500 delegates from around the world arrived in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, in May to deliberate on the path to Africa’s tourism future. To unwind, Zimbabwe’s Tourism Authority,…
With over 1.3 billion travelers on the move, the world experienced the highest growth in international tourist arrivals since 2010. Much of the rebound was spurred by gradual economic growth plus a strong demand for outbound travel from all markets across the world. And as data from the World Tourism Organization now shows, African countries saw…
Typically replies within an hour
I will be back soon
