African Development Bank Group and African Union renew push for visa-free travel to accelerate Africa’s Economic Transformation

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Feb 27 — African policymakers, business leaders, and development institutions have renewed calls for visa-free travel across the continent, describing the free movement of people as essential to unlocking Africa’s economic transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The call was reinforced at a High-Level Symposium on Advancing a Visa-Free Africa for Economic Prosperity, co-convened by the African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission on the margins of the 39th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa.

Participants framed mobility as the missing link in Africa’s integration agenda, arguing that while tariffs are falling under AfCFTA, restrictive visa regimes continue to limit trade in services, investment flows, tourism, and labour mobility.

Alex Mubiru, Director General for Eastern Africa at the African Development Bank Group, said that visa-free travel, interoperable digital systems, and integrated markets are practical enablers of enterprise, innovation, and regional value chains to translate policy ambitions into economic activity.

“The evidence is clear. The economics support openness. The human story demands it,” he told participants, urging countries to move from incremental reforms to “transformative change.”

Amma A. Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission, called for faster implementation of existing continental frameworks, describing visa openness as a strategic lever for deepening regional markets and enhancing collective responses to economic and humanitarian crises.

Former AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma reiterated that free movement is central to the African Union’s long-term development blueprint, Agenda 2063. “If we accept that we are Africans, then we must be able to move freely across our continent,” she said, urging member states to operationalise initiatives such as the African Passport and the Free Movement of Persons Protocol.

Ghana’s Trade and Industry Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, shared her country’s experience as an early adopter of open visa policies for African travellers, citing increased business travel, tourism, and investor interest as early dividends of greater openness.

The Symposium also reviewed findings from the latest Africa Visa Openness Index, which shows that more than half of intra-African travel still requires visas before departure – seen by participants as a significant drag on intra-continental commerce.

Mesfin Bekele, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, called for full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), saying aviation connectivity and visa liberalisation must advance together to enable seamless travel.

Regional representatives, including Elias Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern Africa Development Community, emphasised the importance of building trust through border management and digital information-sharing systems.

Gabby Otchere Darko, Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, urged governments to support the “Make Africa Borderless Now” campaign, while tourism campaigner Ras Mubarak called for more ratifications of the AU Free Movement of Persons protocol.

Participants concluded that achieving a visa-free Africa will require aligning migration policies, digital identity systems, and border infrastructure, alongside sustained political commitment.

In a symbolic gesture, attendees signed a “passport wall,” signalling support for accelerated reforms to make movement across African borders easier for citizens.

The African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission said they will continue working with member states and regional bodies to advance coordinated approaches to mobility – seen as a cornerstone of Africa’s integration, competitiveness, and long-term growth.

African Development Bank Group awards $16.6 million grant to International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to scale agricultural technologies in Africa

African Development Bank Group awards $16.6 million grant to International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to scale agricultural technologies in AfricaThe agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships

ABUJA, Nigeria, Feb 27– The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement to launch the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Program (TAAT-III), aimed at scaling climate-resilient food production across the continent.

The agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships among research institutions, governments, and private sector actors.

Since its launch in 2018, TAAT has become one of Africa’s most effective and transformative platforms for agricultural innovation, reaching nearly 25 million farmers and boosting productivity across major staples. The initiative has expanded climate-resilient agricultural practices across over 35 million hectares.

Working closely with the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and national and regional partners, TAAT has increased crop yields as much as 69 percent and generated more than $4 billion in additional agricultural value. Countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria have recorded notable gains in staple crop productivity and resilience to climate shocks.

Nigeria has been a key beneficiary of TAAT initiatives. Under its Wheat Compact, farmers adopting improved heat-tolerant varieties more than doubled yields from 1.7 tons per hectare to 3.5 tons per hectare. Programme‑supported seed system assessments also helped inform national reforms to expand access to certified, climate-resilient seeds.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abdul Kamara, Director General of the Bank Group’s Nigeria Country Department, said the new phase will focus on scaling innovation more rapidly: “TAAT-III underscores the Bank’s commitment to ensuring that proven, climate-resilient agricultural technologies reach farmers faster and at scale. This phase strengthens the systems that deliver innovation, helping countries boost productivity, enhance resilience, and align agricultural transformation efforts with the Bank’s four new areas of emphasis, dubbed the Four Cardinal Points.”

Financed through the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending window, TAAT-III will consolidate earlier gains while introducing a more sustainable, private sector-driven delivery model. The initiative aims to reinforce seed and technology distribution systems, deepen partnerships with governments and agribusinesses, and expand the digital tools, including its technology e-catalogues and real-time monitoring platforms, to speed up deployment of high‑impact solutions.

Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, remarked: “TAAT-III allows us to deepen the delivery of science‑based solutions that improve farmers’ yields and livelihoods. Working with the Bank and our partners, we are scaling technologies that make Africa’s food systems more resilient and competitive.”

TAAT featured prominently in supporting the Bank Group’s Africa Emergency Food Production Facility, helping countries to rapidly deploy improved seeds and technologies to stabilise food supplies during recent global disruptions. The programme’s third phase seeks to embed these innovations within long-term national agricultural investment strategies.

TAAT-III is expected to reach an additional 14 million farmers across 37 low-income and vulnerable countries served by the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional financing window.

By TravClan: Travel Report – Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities Emerge as the Primary Drivers of India’s Outbound Travel in 2025

New Delhi, Feb 27:TravClan has released the India Outbound Travel Index 2025, a comprehensive analysis of outbound travel patterns based on real booking behaviour across its nationwide travel agent network. The report analyses data from approximately 2,47,000 international passengers, representing over ₹500 crore in booking value across 170+ international destinations, and identifies five structural shifts shaping how Indians travel abroad.

A defining insight from the Index shows that non-metro cities now contribute 63% of India’s outbound travellers, positioning non-metro India as the largest source of international travel demand. This reflects a fundamental shift in market composition, with outbound growth increasingly anchored in emerging cities alongside traditional metro hubs.

Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kochi, Amritsar, and Pune are now among India’s fastest-growing outbound markets, driven by rising incomes and expanding regional connectivity. This momentum reflects sustained demand formation, supported by rising income levels, expanding passport access, and improving regional air connectivity.

Commenting on the findings, Arun Bagaria, Founder and CEO, TravClan, said, “The center of gravity for India’s outbound travel has shifted. Travel Businesses cannot build strategies just around Delhi and Mumbai anymore as we see consistent growth from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, driven by travellers who are digitally confident and decisive. Airlines, destinations, and travel brands need to embrace the next phase of outbound growth that will be built around these emerging markets.”

Destination preferences are also evolving. Indian travellers are increasingly selecting markets that combine strong air access, competitive pricing, and diverse experiences. Vietnam has emerged as the fastest-growing destination, gaining 4.01 percentage points in market share, alongside strong hotel booking growth in Egypt, Japan, the Philippines, and Georgia.

Travel planning cycles continue to compress. Over 42% of outbound trips are booked within seven days of departure, while 21.9% are planned over a month in advance, reflecting high digital confidence and predictable, price-responsive behaviour, particularly on short-haul and high-frequency routes.

Affordable air connectivity remains central to outbound expansion. Low-cost carriers account for nearly 70% of bookings on key leisure routes such as the Maldives and Thailand. At the same time, travellers are extending average stays across several destinations, signalling deeper engagement and experience-led travel.

The India Outbound Travel Index 2025 shows that the next phase of outbound growth will be shaped by localised source markets, faster booking cycles, and differentiated travel intent. For industry stakeholders, long-term relevance will depend on how effectively strategies align with these structural shifts.

Padel 360 announces its first indoor Padel league in Mumbai with a prize pool of INR 5.5 Lakhs

Mumbai, Feb 27: Mumbai is all set to level up as Padel 360, the city’s first fully indoor, air-conditioned premium padel and pickleball facility, launches the inaugural Padel 360 League from 27th February to 1st March 2026 at its Worli venue. In association with Bayside Sports, the league promises three days of fast-paced rallies, strategic team play, and high-intensity competitive action.

Built around a dynamic ownership-led format, the Padel 360 League will showcase six competitive teams, each assembled through a high-stakes auction featuring elite Icon Players. The tournament will follow a Round Robin + Knockout format, with over 60 matches packed into one electrifying weekend.

The league features a strong mix of national and competitive circuit players, including Aryan Goveas, Adil Kalyanpur, Rahul Motwani, and Krishiv Patel, among others, adding depth, experience, and intensity to the competition. Bringing together entrepreneurial leadership and sporting talent, the six teams promise a compelling on-court lineup. The Emgee Strikers will be spearheaded by Vikram Shah, while the Hebbar Vedanta Warriors feature Aryan Goveas at the forefront. Chaitanya Shah anchors the AICL Aces, as Krishiv headlines the Nuke Knockouts. Rahul Motwani joins the Foo Falcons, and Adil Kalyanpur leads the Bandeja Brigade, creating a balanced and dynamic roster across the league.

Beyond the on-court matchups, the league introduces a professionally structured sporting experience, featuring official team jersey reveals, live match streaming, match recordings, detailed performance analytics, and player insights, alongside curated food and beverage experiences and strong on-ground branding, blending competitive intensity with elevated presentation.

With a total prize pool of INR 5.5 lakhs, along with additional prizes, the Padel 360 League aims to establish itself as a premium city-level sporting property that brings together players, owners, partners, and spectators under one roof.

Set against the backdrop of Padel 360’s world-class indoor courts and vibrant sporting community, the league marks an important milestone in Mumbai’s rapidly growing padel movement.

World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain Announces Plans to Step Down to Focus on Her Health

Rome, Italy | Feb 27– Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), informed her global teams and the organization’s Executive Board, that she is planning to step down from her role in three months’ time to focus on her health.

 Executive Director McCain, who suffered a mild stroke in October 2025, returned in early January to the organization’s headquarters in Rome, Italy to resume her duties. She wasted no time assuming the many responsibilities of leading the world’s frontline agency tackling a multitude of hunger crises across the globe, but found the demands of the job were outpacing her recovery.

 “With a heavy heart, I am announcing my intention to step down as the Executive Director of the World Food Programme,” said McCain. “Serving this incredible organization has been the honor of a lifetime.

 “I’ve seen firsthand WFP’s ability to save lives in the most dangerous, destitute, and remote locations of the world, where people need us the most. Time and time again, I have seen the WFP team show up where no one else can, no matter the odds. I had truly hoped I could finish out my term, but my health has not recovered to a level that allows me to fully serve the enormous demands of this job. This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make. 

 “Over the past three years, we have delivered life-saving and life-changing assistance for millions of the world’s most vulnerable people – and this unwavering commitment will be more important than ever in the years to come. To our donors, partners and our global WFP team: thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. I will remain WFP’s biggest champion and continue to be an unwavering voice for those struggling with hunger everywhere.”

 Executive Director McCain assumed the role of WFP Executive Director on April 5, 2023. During her tenure she has driven several unprecedented changes to reform and scale the organization’s abilities including overhauling its global structure, streamlining its operations and processes, scaling innovative digital technologies, and diversifying its public and private partnership efforts.