Renowned as Africa‘s wealthiest individual, Aliko Dangote recently spoke out against the cumbersome visa process that plagues African travelers, contrasting it with the seamless experiences enjoyed by holders of foreign passports.
At the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Dangote highlighted the stark contrast, revealing that his Nigerian passport necessitates a staggering 35 visas for his business travels across the continent.
Expressing his frustration, Dangote emphasized that this arduous visa requirement poses significant challenges for investors and business leaders who seek to navigate Africa’s diverse markets.
“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.
He underscored that such hurdles hinder the region’s progress and investment potential.
During the forum, which serves as a nexus for African decision-makers and international investors, Dangote called attention to the inequality in visa accessibility, citing the ease with which holders of passports from certain countries, like France, can move across African borders compared to their African counterparts.
Dangote’s remarks shed light on a pressing issue within the continent’s business landscape, where