Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – Pan-African advocate Ras Mubarak concluded a series of high-level meetings in Côte d’Ivoire this week, calling for accelerated regional integration and a visa-free Africa by 2030.
Mubarak received the 2025 Africa Visa Openness Index report from Dr. Joy Kategekwa, Director of the African Development Bank’s Regional Integration Coordination Office, during a visit to the African Development Bank Group. Discussions focused on practical steps to ease the movement of people and goods across the continent, informed by Mubarak’s travels through 31 African countries in under 160 days.
The delegation was also welcomed on behalf of President Alassane Ouattara by Ambassador Evariste Koffi Yapi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and African Integration, before meeting Dr. Ladislas Nze Bekale, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. 
Mubarak stressed that Africa’s future depends on dismantling barriers to allow seamless continental travel and trade. He reiterated that visa-free travel is key to fostering unity, economic growth, and youth empowerment across Africa.
He thanked H.E. Brigadier General Alhassan Abu, Ambassador, and the staff of the Ghana Embassy in Abidjan for their support throughout the visit.
