The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has warned that Nigeria’s visa policy can deny the country the economic advantages inherent in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, Joel Odigie, who stated this in an open letter to Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Ojo, urged the Federal Government to dismantle barriers such as restrictive visa policies and high travel costs to intra-African mobility, describing current visa regimes as non-tariff obstacles that risk slowing trade, investment, and labour movement across the continent.

The AfCFTA is widely regarded as the world’s largest free trade zone by a few participating countries, as African nations seek to translate policy commitments into tangible economic gains.

While AfCFTA aims to boost intra-African trade by reducing tariffs and harmonising regulations, ITUC-Africa maintained that restricting people’s movement is a major missing link.

ITUC- AFRICA said: “Trade is not conducted in abstraction. It is driven by people—traders, workers, investors and entrepreneurs whose ability to move across borders determines how effectively markets function.”

The regional labour noted that despite tariff reductions under AfCFTA, visa restrictions, lengthy application processes, and additional charges continue to limit participation, particularly for small and medium-scale enterprises and informal traders.

ITUC-Africa decried Nigeria’s biometric visa fee, saying the charges are too exorbitant at more than $100, which is imposed separately from standard visa charges.

It declared that such costs disproportionately affect African travellers and small-scale traders, many of whom operate on thin margins.

On the other hand, it said countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Benin and The Gambia have adopted visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies for African citizens, which have helped to boost tourism, business travel, and regional commerce.

Also, it added that Uganda and Zambia have streamlined visa processes by integrating biometric costs into a single, more affordable fee structure.

ITUC-Africa warned that at the receiving end are Africa’s vast informal trade sector, which is dominated by women and cross-border micro traders who stand to lose the most from restrictive mobility policies.

ITUC-Africa argued that cumbersome visa requirements often force traders to rely on informal routes, exposing them to exploitation while depriving governments of potential revenue.

It further stated that, as Africa’s largest economy, easing entry requirements could strengthen its position as a regional hub for investment and value chains.

The regional labour body urged Nigeria to align its visa policies with its long-standing Pan-African commitments and the broader objectives of AfCFTA.

It reiterated the call for the abolition of standalone biometric fees for African travellers and a transition towards more open visa regimes that facilitate ease of entry.

It also raised issues around the functionality of Nigeria’s online visa application system, calling for urgent improvements to enhance accessibility and efficiency.

The scribe of labour body, Joel Odigie, a Nigerian, acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership status on the continent, appreciating the country’s headship of several peacekeeping operations and regional economic cooperation.