Ghana, Algeria Sign Visa Waiver Deal, Offer Scholarships in AI, Robotics

May 2, 2025 - 21:52

Algiers, Algeria - 02 May, 2025 - Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has returned from a successful official visit to Algeria, where he signed several key agreements with the North African country.

The agreements include a visa waiver deal, increased scholarship opportunities for Ghanaian students in AI, robotics, and engineering, and a commitment to establish direct flights between Accra and Algiers.

During his visit, Ablakwa also met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, discussing ways to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

The two countries have a shared history, dating back to the 1960s when Ghana hosted the Algerian flag and national anthem outside of Algeria for the first time.

The agreements signed during the visit aim to boost economic cooperation, security, and cultural exchange between Ghana and Algeria. A strategic oil and gas partnership is also expected to be launched, potentially opening up new opportunities for Ghana's energy sector.

In a statement on his X account (formerly Twitter), Ablakwa praised the Algerian leadership for their warm hospitality and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to strengthen ties between the two nations.

''I convey heartfelt gratitude to President H.E. Abdelmadjid Tebboune and my brother, Foreign Minister H.E. Ahmed Attaf for their exceptionally warm hospitality and genuine friendship.''

The visit marks a significant step forward in Ghana's efforts to diversify its international partnerships and strengthen its presence in Africa and beyond.

Read the full statement from Samuel Oludzeto Ablakwa below;

Yesterday, I honoured a special brotherly invitation from the President and Foreign Minister of Algeria. It has been an exceedingly successful official visit to Algiers.

We signed a visa waiver agreement; agreed to increase the scholarship quota for Ghanaian students in AI, robotics and engineering; committed to working on a direct flight from Accra to Algiers; commencing a strategic oil and gas partnership; consolidating security cooperation and intelligence sharing and reviving our Joint Economic Cooperation.

Ghana and Algeria have a shared history and historic bonds of solidarity which cannot be broken. It is always worth remembering that the first time the Algerian flag and Algerian anthem were outdoored outside Algeria in the early 1960s was in Ghana.

I convey heartfelt gratitude to President H.E. Abdelmadjid Tebboune and my brother, Foreign Minister H.E. Ahmed Attaf for their exceptionally warm hospitality and genuine friendship.