Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign Arrives in Zimbabwe, Renews Call for a Visa-Free Africa

By Chiyedzo Josiah Dimbo Ambassador of Hope

A wave of Pan-African unity rolled into Zimbabwe this week as the Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign reached its 16th destination on a bold 40,000-kilometer road journey across 39 African countries. This historic expedition, dubbed “a revolution on wheels,” is not just a journey of landscapes — but a profound call for integration, inclusion, and interconnectivity across Africa.

Led by Ras Mubarak, former Ghanaian Member of Parliament and a committed Pan-Africanist, the campaign champions one powerful idea: a visa-free Africa. And Zimbabwe, the heart of Southern Africa, welcomed the initiative with warmth and resonance.

A Journey Rooted in Unity

As the convoy rolled into Harare, the team paid homage at the National Heroes Acre, laying symbolic wreaths at the resting places of Zimbabwe’s revered founding figures — the late President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the visionary Vice President Joshua Nkomo, and the beloved Sally Mugabe, a daughter of Ghana who gave her all for Zimbabwe’s freedom.

Zimbabwe: Africa’s Crown Jewel

Recently ranked as Africa’s number one tourism destination by Forbes, Zimbabwe is fast becoming a continental hub for cultural, historical, and ecological tourism. From the majestic Victoria Falls to the sacred Matobo Hills, from ancient Great Zimbabwe ruins to vibrant urban markets — the country embodies the spirit of African diversity and resilience.

The campaign’s stop here is not just symbolic; it is strategic. If Zimbabwe, rich in heritage and innovation, supports the movement for visa liberalization, it could galvanize the entire SADC region to follow suit.

Why Visa-Free Matters

“A visa-free Africa is a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange,” said Ras Mubarak. “We urge African leaders to work towards a more connected and accessible continent where citizens can travel freely and tap into the continent’s immense potential.”

Currently, Africans need visas to travel to over 50% of countries on the continent — a restriction that undermines the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stifles small businesses, and divides families.

Removing visa barriers can unleash a surge in intra-African tourism, open markets for youth-led innovation, and deepen cultural understanding between nations. More importantly, it’s a pathway toward realizing the dreams enshrined in Agenda 2063 — “The Africa We Want.”

Diplomacy in Motion

A special note of gratitude goes to the Ghanaian Embassy in Harare for its unwavering support and facilitation. Their commitment to African unity, cultural diplomacy, and youth engagement is a shining example of the kind of cross-border cooperation this campaign envisions.

We had hoped to present the campaign’s petition directly to His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, or his appointed delegates, and we remain optimistic that such a meeting will be possible during this historic stopover.

Zimbabwe’s Role in Pan-Africanism

As Ambassador of Hope and a staunch believer in African-led transformation, I call upon fellow citizens, leaders, and institutions in Zimbabwe to rally behind this movement. Our heritage, our economy, and our destiny are Pan-African. Let us be leaders — not just in words, but in policies that make Africa more open, more mobile, and more united.

A visa-free Africa is not a utopia. It is a strategic necessity.

Together, let us turn borders into bridges and unlock the full power of our shared humanity.