In 2016, the African Union introduced the idea of a unified passport aimed at increasing the freedom of movement within the continent, spurring economic growth and promoting intra-African trade
According to the head of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the commission will unveil details about the design, production and issuance at the 32nd African Union summit in February.
The African passport will serve as a consolation for Africans, as most African countries hold some of the least powerful passports in the world.
The move might pose a bit of challenge as many African states are intolerable to migrants and refugees, and some have been quietly tightening their visa rules: Tanzania recently banned Nigerian, Djibouti and Ethiopian citizens from visa on arrival.
Even though a lot of visa policies are getting relaxed (Ethiopia is beginning a push for visa on arrival to all Africans), travellers from nations like South Sudan and Burundi need visas to go to 48 and 47 African countries respectively.
Currently, the passport is still exclusive to heads of state and other diplomats, with Chadian leader, Idriss Déby and Rwandan president, Paul Kagame being the first recipients.
