Kenya announced it will scrap visas for all African visitors planning to visit the east African Nation in 2024.
The commendable news was heard from Kenyan President William Ruto, addressing an international conference Saturday in Congo Brazzaville.
The president is convinced that the move is vital to improve trade among countries. "It is time we realize the importance of trading among ourselves and allowing goods, services, people and ideas to move freely across the continent," he explained.
Ethiopia has already been implementing on arrival visa for brothers and sisters across the continent.
Though the African Union has proposed common passport of African nations, yet this is long overdue, pushing some African nations to take unilateral actions like Kenya.
Over the past one year, only Seychelles, the Gambia, and Benin permit entry to all African citizens without a visa. Thre are also few others who have introduced visa on arrival and no visa restrictions only for certain African nationals.
Many African countries have shown progress in simplifying entry procedures to their respective countries, Africa Visa Openness Index shows.
Hence, the move by Ruto’s government will significantly boost up the already progressing trade among East African Community countries due to the removal of visa requirements and tariffs.
It is to be recalled that President Ruto told the African delegates on African Private Sector Dialogue Conference on Free Trade back in May 2023, that might be the last time they will pay for visas to visit the country.