Renowned Kenyan scholar and Pan-Africanist, Prof. Patrick Lumumba, has called on the Federal Government to remove visa barriers preventing the free movement of Africans across the continent, saying the restrictions are slowing regional integration, trade and investment.
Speaking on Monday at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, Lumumba said Africa cannot achieve the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) if Africans continue to face unnecessary travel restrictions within the continent.
According to him, Nigeria, as the largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, should lead the way by making it easier for Africans to travel, invest and do business.
“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. I look forward to the day when there will be no visa requirements for an African coming into this country,” he said.
‘Africa Must Invest in Itself’
Lumumba argued that Africa’s development should not depend solely on foreign investors, urging African countries to believe in their own capacity to finance and grow their economies.
He noted that investment summits should attract more African investors instead of focusing mainly on businesses from outside the continent.
“Africans must begin to believe that they possess both the intellectual capacity and the financial resources needed to develop their own continent,” he stated.
Delta Told to Learn from Norway
The Pan-Africanist also challenged Delta State to take inspiration from Norway, which transformed its petroleum earnings into one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds.
According to him, the real challenge is not producing oil but managing the proceeds wisely for future generations.
“The issue is not simply producing oil; the issue is whether you are using those resources wisely,” Lumumba said.
He added that Delta possesses enormous economic potential through agriculture, oil, minerals, pharmaceuticals and the blue economy, urging the state to maximise these opportunities for sustainable growth.
Reliable Energy Is Key
Lumumba further stressed the importance of investing in research, innovation and energy infrastructure, warning that industrial development cannot succeed without stable electricity.
“Development is impossible without energy. If you do not have energy, you are going nowhere. Energy must remain one of your highest priorities,” he said.
He concluded by urging governments across Africa to adopt long-term economic strategies that prioritise regional cooperation, innovation and sustainable development.
