UGANDA and Mozambique have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) allowing nationals of both countries to travel between them without the need for a visa. The agreement, signed on Thursday, aims to enhance movement and trade between the two nations by eliminating the $50 visa fee that travellers previously had to pay.
The new visa exemption places Mozambique alongside several other nations with which Uganda has similar agreements, including Angola, Kenya, Botswana, Ireland, South Sudan, Malawi, Malaysia, and Comoros.
A step towards regional integration
The agreement was reached following a request from Mozambique during the second session of the Joint Permanent Commission meeting between the two countries, held in Kampala. The move aligns with broader regional efforts to promote greater integration across Africa, particularly through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, both of which aim to make cross-border travel easier and stimulate economic growth.
Ugandan Foreign Minister John Mulimba emphasised that visa-free travel will significantly boost trade between Uganda and Mozambique by facilitating the easier movement of goods and people.
‘Trade is all about the movement of goods and people. If you restrict the movement of people, then the goods won’t reach the destination. Therefore, the removal of the visa requirement is a stimulant,’ Mulimba said during the announcement. ‘This move will also ensure the transfer of expertise between the two countries and will spur economic transformation.’
Boosting trade and expertise
Fred Mwesigye, Uganda’s Ambassador to Mozambique, welcomed the agreement, noting that visa-free travel is a key step towards strengthening not just bilateral ties but also regional integration efforts. ‘The visa exemption aligns with broader African goals of easier mobility across borders,’ he said. ‘It’s part of the push towards greater unity under frameworks like the AfCFTA and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.’
The African Continental Free Trade Area is one of the most ambitious trade agreements in modern history, aiming to create a single market for goods and services across the continent, increase intra-African trade, and boost Africa’s position in the global economy. The visa-free travel agreement between Uganda and Mozambique reflects these broader aspirations, helping to break down barriers that have historically impeded trade between African nations.
A growing trend in Africa
Visa exemptions between African countries have become increasingly common as part of a wider effort to stimulate trade and foster economic cooperation across the continent. Several African nations have pushed for the removal of visa requirements for fellow African citizens, recognising that ease of travel is a critical component in the success of regional trade.
The benefits of such policies are manifold. By reducing the bureaucratic and financial burdens on travellers, visa exemptions encourage not only tourism but also business travel, investment, and the sharing of knowledge and skills. This, in turn, contributes to economic growth, job creation, and the development of stronger ties between neighbouring nations.
With this new agreement, Uganda and Mozambique hope to lead by example in promoting greater collaboration between African countries. By facilitating the movement of people and goods, the visa exemption is expected to enhance trade and create new opportunities for businesses in both nations.
As Africa continues its journey towards deeper integration, agreements like this one highlight the importance of reducing barriers to cooperation and fostering stronger economic partnerships. The visa-free travel deal between Uganda and Mozambique is a positive step in this direction, offering tangible benefits to the citizens and economies of both countries.
