ACCRA: Ghana`s outgoing President Nana AkufoAddo on Friday announced visa-free travel for all African passport holders from the start of this year, marking a step towards continental economic integration.

The announcement came during his final state of the nation address as he prepares to step down on Jan 6 after two terms in office.

`I am proud to have approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, with effect from the beginning of this year,` Akufo-Addo said in his speech to parliament.

`This is the logical next step to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the workings of the largest trading bloc in the world,` he said.

`All these are essential elements to the realisation of the AU`s agenda envisaging an integrated and connected Africa by 2063,` he added, referring to the African Union`s development blueprint for a 50-year period.

Ghana joins Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia and Benin in offering visa-free entry to African travellers.

Ghana had previously allowed visa-free access to citizens of 26 African nations and visas on arrival for travellers from 25 others, while only two African countries-Eritrea and Moroccorequired a visa before entry.-AFP