An eighth African country is in favor of visa-free movement; it is abolishing visas for Africans.

Chad has become the latest African country to adopt visa exemption for its nationals after President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno announced that the country would abolish the entry visa requirement for all African nationals from January 1, 2027.

This announcement, made Wednesday at the opening of the African Water Forum in N'Djamena, marks a new step towards strengthened continental integration and better movement of people across Africa.

"The Chad of Toumaï, the cradle of humanity, is opening its borders and abolishing entry visas for all Africans from January 1, 2027," said Déby, describing the decision as part of Chad's commitment to strengthening African unity and facilitating the free movement of people and goods.

The president stated that this policy also reflects Chad's ambition to strengthen its strategic role as a gateway linking West, East, North and Central Africa.

The growing movement towards visa exemptions in Africa

With this announcement, Chad becomes the eighth African country to grant visa-free entry to all holders of African passports, joining Rwanda, Benin, Gambia, Seychelles, Ghana, Kenya and the Republic of Congo.

This initiative is part of a growing continental trend to remove barriers to travel between African nations, in line with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), both of which promote greater regional integration through the free movement of people, goods and services.

Despite these ambitions, visa restrictions remain widespread across much of the continent, with many African countries still requiring visas for their citizens or limiting visa-free access to members of regional economic blocs.

Deby's announcement came at the African Water Forum, which brought together African leaders, development institutions and international partners to discuss financing for water infrastructure and expanding access to drinking water.

During his speech, the Chadian leader also urged development partners to accelerate investments in the water sector and reaffirmed his government's commitment to a five-year, $3.8 billion National Water Pact aimed at developing the country's water infrastructure.

The visa exemption policy should enhance Chad's regional connectivity while supporting broader efforts to boost trade, tourism and economic cooperation across Africa.