Ethiopia is to issue visa on arrival to all Africans starting Nov. 9, according to Fitsum Arega, chief of staff at the Ethiopian Prime Minister.

In a press statement, Arega said the visa-on-arrival policy for fellow African visitors is in line with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s vision of a closer and full integration in the continent.

“Consistent with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s vision of a closer and full regional integration in Africa, where minds are open to ideas and markets are open to trade, Ethiopia will start on arrival visa to all Africans starting from Nov. 9, 2018,” Arega said.

Ethiopia hopes the visa-on-arrival initiative would facilitate the economic integration of Africa by pushing tourist flow to a higher level and help advance conference tourism.

The east African country, which hosts the headquarters of the continental body, the African Union (AU), also hopes that the move will assist the AU’s initiative on the free movement of people. The AU urged all African countries to issue visa on arrival as of 2023. (NAN)