AU to unveil single passport for Africans in February

The African Union (AU) has announced plans to unveil a single passport aimed at promoting trade and free movement of people within the continent.

According to the AU chairman, Moussa Faki, the single passport is set to be launched in February this year during the 32nd African Union Summit to be held in Addis Ababa.

“I congratulate those Member States that have taken measures to ease the procedures for the entry of African nationals into their territories, and urge those that have not yet done so to join this growing momentum. The Commission will present, for adoption, guidelines on the design, production and issuance of the African passport, the materialization of which will take us one step closer to the long-held dream of complete free movement across the continent,” said  Au Chairman, Moussa Faki

The idea of a visa-free passport for members of the AU was first established in 2013 as part of the 2063 Agenda containing 7 goals to promote a self reliant continent. The first African passport was however introduced in 2016 and it was exclusive to head of states and diplomats.

The single passport will however not open up Morocco considering the country has been controversially unsettled in regards to being an African Union state.