Republic of Congo announces visa-free entry for Africans from 2027

Africa

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Agency Report) — President Denis Sassou Nguesso has announced that African nationals will no longer require visas to enter the Republic of the Congo beginning January 1, 2027, in a move aimed at deepening continental integration and promoting the free movement of people across Africa.

Nguesso made the announcement during the celebration of Africa Day at the 2026 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) held in Brazzaville.

The Congolese president said the decision reflects his country’s commitment to African unity, regional cooperation, and the broader goals of continental development.

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According to him, African nations must strengthen solidarity and move away from what he described as “selfishness and narrow nationalism” in addressing the continent’s development challenges.

Nguesso stressed that Africa’s future depends largely on stronger regional partnerships, infrastructure expansion, and the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He noted that the continent possesses enormous natural and economic potential, including vast energy resources, forests, minerals, and water systems capable of contributing significantly to global prosperity.

The president, however, lamented that nearly 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, describing energy poverty as one of the major obstacles to development on the continent.

He called for increased investment in transport systems, rail networks, maritime infrastructure, and energy projects to unlock Africa’s economic opportunities and improve regional connectivity.

Nguesso also commended the joint “Mission 300” initiative of the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank aimed at expanding electricity access across Africa by 2030.

During his address, the Congolese leader paid tribute to African liberation icons, including Patrice Lumumba, Kwame Nkrumah, and Nelson Mandela.

He said Africa Day remains a powerful symbol of the continent’s struggle for freedom, unity, dignity, and prosperity.