ALIKO Dangote, Africa’s richest man, is fond of banging the visa drum. He uses many public platforms to urge leaders to make it easier for Africans to travel around their own continent.

Last week was no exception. Dangote, in a television interview in Nigeria with CNBC, said he needed 38 visas to travel across Africa. And it was not always straightforward to get them, he said.

"You go to a country that is looking for investment, that particular country will give you a runaround just to get a visa," he said.

"You have to know somebody who is big in that country to call somebody. They are giving you visas as if it is a favour."

Dangote’s comments will resonate with many people who have battled to get visas timeously for multiple business trips. Only 13 African countries allow other Africans to enter without a visa or give visas on arrival. Read more... 

- Published in Business Day SA, 26 September 2016. Picture: Reuters / Akintunde Akinleye.