Next week the African Union (AU) will issue the first e-passports to allow holders to travel visa-free between its 54 member-states. At first, the heads of state, foreign ministers and permanent representatives of member-states, will be the main passport holders.

The ultimate aim of the AU is to gradually issue these passports to all Africans. This would be even more ambitious than the Schengen Area established by the European Union. The free movement of labour and goods is a key goal in the 2063 agenda, the AU’s 50 year action plan, to further continental integration. Much of Africa’s trade is still with European and Asian powers, particularly China, rather than between African countries. But there are regional trends towards free movement.

Visa-free travel is already permitted between Ghana and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which includes Nigeria. While the East African Community (EAC) is planning to establish its own regional passport in 2017. Critics have raised concerns of the spread of infectious diseases, as well as terrorist networks and smuggling, across borders.

With just six member-states, the EAC is the most advanced union in Africa and may well try to establish a monetary union in coming years. The Financial Times provides an overview of African integration.