Togo became the sixth African country to grant visa-free entry to all African passport holders in May 2026, a move celebrated as another step towards Pan-African integration. However, in neighbouring Ghana, where a similar policy was introduced last year, Nigerian traders continue to report harassment and restrictions in parts of the informal retail sector. While progress has been made on trade liberalisation and symbolic commitments demonstrated on people mobility, far less attention has been paid to convergence in governance standards and socio-economic conditions across member states. Without addressing this issue, the promise of seamless continental integration will continue to outpace implementation.