In a landmark announcement at the African Development Bank's (AfDB) Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso declared that the Republic of the Congo will waive visa requirements for all African nationals starting 1 January 2027. This decision, revealed on the first day of the meetings, aligns with the continent's ongoing efforts towards deeper integration and was met with enthusiastic applause from thousands of delegates at the Kintele Conference Centre.

The announcement coincided with Africa Day, a celebration of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, now the African Union. This year's theme, "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063," underscores the continent's commitment to sustainable development. President Sassou-Nguesso emphasised the need for collective investment in infrastructure, including roads, railways, and energy systems, to drive Africa's transformation.

Dr Sidi Ould Tah, President of the AfDB, highlighted the importance of strengthening Africa's "collective agency" through regional integration and robust institutions. He noted, "Too often Africa is described in terms of what it lacks. But if we focus only on what Africa does not have, we fail to see what it already possesses."

The meetings, themed "Mobilising Africa's Development Financing at Scale in a Fragmented World," also featured cultural showcases, including performances by Congolese artists. The event reinforced the role of the AfDB as a pivotal development financier, with calls for global support in addressing climate change and enhancing Africa's economic sovereignty

This story was selected and published by a human editor, with content adapted from original press material using AI tools. Spot an error? Report it here.