January 7th, local time, according to local media reports, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to launch a new AU passport in 2021.
“This is critical to the success of the Continental Free Trade Area and will greatly simplify travel on the continent,” analyst Justice Malala said.
It is understood that AU passports are the flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims to eliminate restrictions on Africans’ travel, work and life on the African continent.
The AU Passport Program was officially launched in 2016, but due to various reasons and the epidemic, it affected its promotion arrangements originally scheduled for 2020.
One of its main purposes is to exempt holders from obtaining visas from all 55 countries in Africa. So far, only African government leaders, diplomats and African Union officials have obtained the passport.
Malala also said that due to the epidemic, the continental free trade zone, which was originally scheduled to be launched in July 2020, has been postponed to January 1, 2021.
However, most of the travel restrictions in African countries have been lifted, and the COVID-19 vaccine plan has been steadily advancing, and the African Free Trade Area may be able to operate smoothly.
