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Ghana Moves to Boost Trade, Tourism with Visa-Free Access for Africans

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President John Dramani Mahama announces Ghana’s move to introduce a visa-free policy for all Africans starting May 25, 2026, targeting improved mobility and deeper regional cooperation.

The announcement followed a bilateral meeting with Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa at Peduase Lodge in Ghana’s Eastern Region.

Ghana's President John Mahama (R) and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Ghana’s President John Mahama (R) and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, pose for a photo on April 2, 2026, in Accra, Ghana. /Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Under the new policy, African travellers will be able to apply for electronic visas at no cost, marking a shift in Ghana’s immigration system aimed at improving accessibility while maintaining security standards.

Mahama said the move reflects Ghana’s long-standing commitment to Pan-Africanism, describing the country as a “cradle” of the ideology. He added that the initiative will officially take effect on Africa Day.

According to the President, the policy is expected to boost tourism, strengthen trade ties, and position Ghana as a more attractive destination for investors and entrepreneurs across the continent.

He further disclosed that since taking office in 2025, his administration has signed 23 visa waiver agreements to improve travel access for Ghanaian citizens.

The new visa-free regime places Ghana among a growing number of African countries adopting open-border policies to encourage mobility. It also aligns with continental frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which promotes intra-African trade and economic cooperation.

Ghana houses the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra, positioned as a key driver of continental integration; the visa-free policy supports AfCFTA’s goal of reducing barriers not just to trade—but to movement of people. This is critical for services, SMEs, tourism and informal cross-border trade.

Currently, this development leans toward free e-visas, not completely visa-free entry at borders meaning travellers will apply online, but won’t pay fees.

Countries including Benin, Rwanda, The Gambia, and Seychelles already offer visa-free access to African nationals, while others have adopted simplified entry systems such as e-visas and visa-on-arrival policies.

Ghana has long positioned itself as a Pan-African hub, through initiatives like the “Year of Return” in 2019, and the new visa-free policy reinforces this identity. Its success will depend on effective border security, migration management, and infrastructure readiness, including immigration systems, data tracking, and airport capacity.

Analysts project that the visa-free regime will improve intra-African relations, which is currently under 20% of Africa’s total travel; while making movement easier for entrepreneurs, creatives, and digital workers, it could potentially boosting sectors such as aviation, tourism, hospitality, trade and cross-border logistics.

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CBN disowns purported $46 billion grant approval

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disowned a purported document claiming that Governor Yemi Cardoso approved a $46 billion developmental grant to an organisation.

CBN, in a post on its official X account on Thursday, described the document as “fake” and urged members of the public to disregard it.

The purported letter, dated 13 August 2026, was addressed to the “Atufeg Empowerment and Development Centre” and claimed to be an official endorsement and authorisation for the release of a developmental grant.

It purportedly bore Mr Cardoso’s signature and stated that CBN had authorised the immediate transfer of $46 billion to the beneficiary’s designated account for the execution of “approved national empowerment and developmental projects.”

“The CBN confirms full endorsement and authorises the immediate transfer of these funds to the beneficiary’s designated account,” the purported letter stated.

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It further claimed that the authorisation was “final and binding.”

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However, the apex bank, while sharing an image of the document on X, said: “This content is FAKE. Let the public be guided.”

CBN’s disclaimer comes amid the recurring circulation of purported government and financial institution documents on social media, underscoring the importance of verifying such claims through official channels before acting on them.

In recent months, OPay Digital Services Limited, May & Baker, MTN, Wema Bank and other corporate organisations have dissociated themselves from social media posts published by unauthorised entities impersonating their brands and issuing purported corporate messages.

On Thursday, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) announced that it had arrested Hafsat Abubakar for circulating false rumours about the OPay shutdown.

Similarly, in July, PREMIUM TIMES uncovered how unauthorised video advertisements on TikTok, offering financial assistance such as grants, loans, giveaways, and investment opportunities, were used to scam Nigerians.

The investigation found that the fraudulent ads, some of which were AI-generated, were designed to target and lure unsuspecting Nigerian users into scams.


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Post-Recapitalisation, Mutual Benefits Pledges Deeper Investment in Tech, Customer Experience

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For more than 30 years, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc has built its reputation on a simple promise: being there for Nigerians when protection matters most.

From safeguarding families and businesses to protecting assets and supporting long-term financial goals, the company has earned the trust of millions of Nigerians and established itself as a recognised player in Nigeria’s insurance industry.

That legacy of trust now provides the foundation for Mutual Benefits’ next chapter.

Following the successful completion of its recapitalisation,Mutual Benefits is positioning for sustainable growth while strengthening its role as a trusted protection partner to Nigerians.

Commenting on the development, Managing Director/CEO, Femi Asenuga said: “For over three decades, Nigerians have entrusted Mutual Benefits with what matters most to them. This includes their families,

businesses, assets and financial futures.

That trust is both our greatest privilege and our greatest responsibility. Our recapitalisation strengthens the foundation from which we can serve our customers better, innovate more meaningfully and build sustainably for the future.”

For Mutual Benefits, the significance of recapitalisation goes beyond meeting a regulatory requirement. It provides a stronger platform to deepen investment in products, technology, customer experience and service capabilities, while responding to the evolving financial protection needs of Nigerians.

The company’s portfolio spans Non-Life and Life Assurance solutions covering key areas including Motor, Home, Marine, Fire &  Special Perils, Travel and Group Life Insurance, among others, as well as a suite of solutions supporting children’s education, retirement, savings and investment.

As customers increasingly expect greater convenience and accessibility, Mutual Benefits is also accelerating its digital transformation, strengthening its online platforms and customer journeys to make insurance easier to access and interact with.

The company is equally placing renewed emphasis on customer experience, with a focus on improving engagement and service delivery across the customer journey.

Asenuga added: “Our ambition is not simply to grow bigger, but to become better for our customers. Every investment we make in technology, people, products and service must ultimately translate into greater convenience, stronger value and greater confidence for the people and businesses we serve.”

As Nigerians navigate changing economic realities and increasing financial responsibilities, Mutual Benefits believes insurance has an increasingly important role to play in helping individuals and businesses build resilience and protect what they have worked hard to create.

The company’s post-recapitalisation strategy, therefore, focuseson sustainable growth, innovation, operational effectiveness and deeper customer engagement, while expanding access to relevant protection and financial solutions.

With three decades of experience behind it and a stronger foundation for the future, Mutual Benefits remains committed to earning and reinforcing the trust of its customers, helping them protect what matters, prepare for uncertainty and pursue their financial aspirations with greater confidence.

“We are proud of the journey Mutual Benefits has taken over the past 30 years, but we are even more focused on what lies ahead. Our stronger foundation gives us the opportunity to serve more Nigerians, create greater value and deepen the trust that has sustained our business. We are committed to being a protection partner our customers can depend on today, tomorrow and for generations to come,” Asenuga concluded.

 

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