Traveling across the continent may be fun for persons going on vacations; however, for some business moguls and investors, it is sometimes stressful, especially when there is a need for visa application(s).
The latest to voice out this concern is Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, who bemoaned that to travel in Africa with his Nigerian passport, he needs 35 visas to give him access to his destination of choice or for business.
Making this known at the Africa CEO Forum held in Kigali, Aliko Dangote who is also the CEO and Chairman of Dangote Group noted that the case was different for persons holding a French passpor
He stated categorically that persons with "foreign" passports move more freely on the continent than Africans.
"As an investor, as somebody who really wants to make Africa great, I have to now apply for 35 different visas on my passport, and I told Mr. President that I really don't have the time to go and be dropping my passport at embassies to get a visa. But the most annoying thing is that, yes, if you are treating everybody the same, then I can understand," Aliko Dangote stated.
"I can assure you Patrick [CEO of Total Energies] doesn't need 35 visas... You don't need 35 visas on a French passport, which means you have free movement than myself in Africa," he added.
At the Africa CEO Forum, African decision-makers connect with each other, as well as with international investors and institutions operating on the continent.
The aim of the forum is to facilitate business in Africa through the exchange of ideas and experiences.
Africa's richest man - Aliko Dangote - says he needs 35 visas to travel in Africa on his Nigerian passport.
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) May 20, 2024
A French passport has more visa-free access in Africa than Dangote pic.twitter.com/zuD7f1o3VH
SA/MA
