Zimbabwe and Benin have strengthened bilateral ties and advanced the continent’s integration agenda after signing a Visa Exemption Agreement covering holders of diplomatic and ordinary passports.
Speaking on the development yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Professor Amon Murwira said the agreement represented a practical step towards building a more connected Africa.
“Zimbabwe and Benin have taken a significant step towards strengthening people-to-people ties and advancing African integration through the signing of a Visa Exemption Agreement covering diplomatic and ordinary passport holders,” he said.
Professor Murwira said removing visa requirements would make it easier for citizens of the two countries to travel and interact, while creating opportunities for closer economic and social cooperation.
“The agreement will facilitate easier movement between the two countries, creating greater opportunities for trade, tourism, investment, cultural exchange and people-to-people interaction,” he added.
He said greater freedom of movement was an important component of efforts to achieve the broader objectives of African integration, particularly as the continent seeks to expand intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The development gives practical expression to the vision of an integrated Africa, where the movement of people complements the movement of goods, services and capital under the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Professor Murwira noted
Professor Murwira said the agreement went beyond facilitating travel, as it also supported the wider Pan-African agenda by strengthening links between African peoples and economies.
“When we speak about African integration, we must look beyond the movement of goods. The movement of people is equally important because it allows our citizens to interact, do business, share experiences and strengthen the bonds that already exist between African countries,” he said.
He said Zimbabwe’s decision to strengthen movement between itself, and other African countries was consistent with the country’s constitutional commitment to Pan-Africanism and the advancement of African integration.
“The agreement also reflects Zimbabwe’s constitutional commitment to Pan-Africanism and African integration, while advancing the vision of One Africa, an Africa that is connected, dignified and prosperous for its people,” Prof Murwira noted.
The agreement comes as African countries continue implementing measures aimed at reducing barriers to movement and increasing intra-African economic cooperation.
For Zimbabwe and Benin, the visa exemption is expected to provide a framework for stronger interaction between citizens while supporting economic, cultural and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The development also reinforces Zimbabwe’s broader engagement with African countries in pursuit of greater continental connectivity and cooperation.
