The African Union Passport is a proposed passport document that is set to replace existing nationally issued African Union member state passports and exempt bearers from having to obtain any visas for all 55 states in Africa. It was announced on July 17, 2016, at the 27th Ordinary Session of the African Union that was held in Kigali in Rwanda by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the late Chadian President Idriss Déby. The passport was planned to be rolled out and ready for use at borders worldwide by 2023, however the rollout has since been delayed indefinitely.
Future proposed endeavors for the passports have included the planned initiative for visa free travel – known as "Visa Free Africa" under the auspice of the African Union.Visa Free Africa and eventual freedom of movement within the bloc.Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment
Types There are three types of African Union passport that will be issued: Ordinary passport These passports are issued to citizens and are intended for occasional travel, such as vacations and business trips. They contain 32 pages, and are valid for 5 years.
Official/Service passport These passports are issued to officials attached to government institutions who have to travel on official business.
Diplomatic passport Issued to diplomats and consuls for work-related travel, and to their accompanying dependents.
Temporary passport These passports are issued to travelling citizens or natives of African countries that cannot get hold of their passports due to various reasons including robbery, theft or accidents. They may last for 6 months to a year.
Design The passport has inscriptions in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, and Swahili. The African Union anthem's lyrics are printed on the page immediately after the picture page.
Recognition and acceptance
African Union Member States StateVisa RequiredETA Required Yes No No No Yes (on the spot) No No No
Common area passports in Africa ECOWAS passport
See also African diaspora Tourism in Africa Rail transport in Africa Single African Air Transport Market African Continental Free Trade Area Interpol Travel Document
References
Further reading African Union (staff) passport information on PRADO Visa Free Africa initiative, AU.int