Renowned Kenyan scholar and Pan-Africanist, Prof. PLO Lumumba, has urged the Federal Government to remove visa restrictions for Africans travelling within the continent, saying such barriers undermine regional integration, trade and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
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Lumumba made the call on Monday while speaking at the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba.
Addressing Vice President Kashim Shettima and other dignitaries, the former Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission said Africa could not achieve meaningful economic integration while maintaining restrictive immigration policies.
“Your Excellency, the Vice President, Nigeria is the largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. I look forward to the day when an investor from Ethiopia can board a plane and arrive in Asaba without visas, landing cards or exit cards,” he said.
“I look forward to the day when there will be no visa requirements for an African coming into this country,” he added.
Drawing a comparison with Europe, Lumumba said the continent should embrace easier cross-border movement to boost trade and investment.
“Today, you can move from Slovakia to Portugal using the same currency and with minimal restrictions. But here in Africa, moving from one country to another remains unnecessarily difficult. We cannot build a competitive economy while remaining so fragmented,” he said.
The Pan-Africanist also urged African countries to rely more on homegrown investors instead of depending heavily on foreign capital.
“When we think about investment, we still imagine that our investors must come from Malaysia, Brazil or China. That is not the case,” he said.
“The next time this summit is held, I want to see Kenyans here, Ghanaians here, Ethiopians here, Moroccans here and Egyptians here. Africans must begin to believe that they possess both the intellectual capacity and the financial resources needed to develop their own continent,” he stated.
Lumumba further challenged the Delta State Government to adopt Norway’s model of managing petroleum wealth through long-term investments.
“The Governor has reminded us of what Norway has done with its petroleum resources. Today, Norway has built one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. The question for Delta State is simple: Can you do the same? The issue is not simply producing oil; the issue is whether you are using those resources wisely,” he said.
He noted that Delta’s economy was already larger than those of several African countries but stressed that the state’s abundant resources must be harnessed strategically.
“Delta State’s economy is already larger than those of more than 20 African countries. The real question is this: with all the resources you possess—agriculture, minerals, oil, pharmaceuticals and the blue economy—what are you doing that is consistent with the demands of the 21st century?” he asked.
Lumumba also emphasised the importance of energy to industrial development, describing reliable electricity as critical to economic growth.
“Development is impossible without energy. If you do not have energy, you are going nowhere. Energy must remain one of your highest priorities,” he added.
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