Africa’s Global Shapers Join Forces to Press for Open, Border-Free Travel in Africa

Published
11 May 2017
2017
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Maxwell Hall, Public Engagement, Tel.: +41 (0)79 329 3500; Email: maxwell.hall@weforum.org

· African members of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers community launch the Durban Agreement on Open Africa to champion an open and border-free Africa

· Initiative will support the work of the African Development Bank, among others, in promoting greater visa openness across the region

· More about the Africa Global Shapers Community at https://shapingafrica.org/

Durban, South Africa, 10 May 2017 – The Durban Agreement on Open Africa, an initiative of the World Economic Forum’s African Global Shapers community, has been launched to make a case for how an open and border-free Africa can drive greater cultural understanding and economic integration.

The initiative was launched following a meeting of 50 Global Shapers from across Africa on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Africa in Durban, which took place on 3-5 May. The decision by the Shapers to focus on openness and ease of travel followed an online conversation started by the community, #ShapingAfrica, in the weeks before the meeting.

One of the ways the Shapers will seek to build grassroots support for the Durban Agreement is to tour the continent on a specially commissioned bus named Uhuru (“Freedom”), engaging in conversations with communities as well as leaders. Uhuru’s tour is planned to start in September, culminating at the African Union Summit in February 2018. Details of this trip are still being determined, with a full itinerary expected to be finalized in the next months.

The Global Shapers Community is a network of Hubs developed and led by young people who are exceptional in their potential, achievements and drive to make a contribution to their communities. Learn more about them here, and follow the Shapers in Africa on Twitter @AfricaWeShape.

The 2017 World Economic Forum on Africa took place on 3-5 May in Durban, South Africa, under the theme Achieving Inclusive Growth through Responsive and Responsible Leadership. The meeting convened regional and global leaders from business, government and civil society to explore solutions to create economic opportunities for all.

Notes to Editors

Learn about the 2017 World Economic Forum on Africa at http://wef.ch/af17

Read about the Africa Global Shapers Community at https://shapingafrica.org/

Follow the Shapers in Africa on Twitter @AfricaWeShape

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All opinions expressed are those of the author. The World Economic Forum Blog is an independent and neutral platform dedicated to generating debate around the key topics that shape global, regional and industry agendas.

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