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Kenya Eases Travel Restrictions for African Citizens
In a significant policy shift, Kenya has announced that citizens from nearly all African nations will no longer need prior authorization to visit the country. This decision, revealed in a cabinet statement, aims to foster tourism and promote regional integration across the continent.
Last year, Kenya implemented a “visa-free” initiative characterized by the introduction of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which mandated many travelers to secure online clearance before departing for the country. This system, however, faced backlash, being perceived by some as merely a new name for a visa requirement.
According to the recent cabinet announcement, the ETA will be abolished for visitors from all African nations except for Somalia and Libya, which remain subject to security considerations. The government stated that this move is part of broader efforts to support open skies policies and stimulate economic growth through tourism.
Despite the introduction of the ETA, Kenya’s ranking in the Africa Visa Openness Index saw a decline, dropping 17 places to 46th out of 54 nations in the latest report for 2024. This decline highlights ongoing challenges within the country regarding accessibility for international travelers.
Other African nations have likewise pursued measures to simplify travel for fellow citizens across the continent. Ghana, for example, recently announced that all African passport holders would now be permitted to enter without a visa. Similarly, Rwanda has eliminated visa requirements for African visitors.
The African Union (AU) is actively promoting policies that facilitate intra-continental travel, reflecting a growing consensus on the importance of mobility for regional development.
Under the new policy in Kenya, citizens from most African nations will be able to enter without an ETA and stay for up to two months. For members of the East African Community, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, the visiting time is extended to six months, aligning with the bloc’s existing travel agreements.
In addition to removing the ETA requirement, Kenya plans to enhance the travel experience by implementing a process that allows rapid approval for travelers, with a promised maximum processing time of 72 hours. However, the exact timeline for this new system’s implementation has yet to be determined, as various ministries have been assigned to develop specific guidelines to enhance airport experiences within a week.
Before the ETA was enacted, citizens from over 40 countries, including numerous African nations, could arrive in Kenya and be granted entry without any pre-application. Currently, all travelers are required to apply for and pay for an ETA at least three days prior to travel unless they belong to an exempted category. The ETA application incurs a fee of $30, valid for 90 days, a move that has faced criticism for potentially deterring visitors.
Officials have indicated that the revised travel system carries a security component, a necessity emphasized by government representatives. Kenya has faced threats from al-Shabab militants based in neighboring Somalia, prompting ample caution in travel regulations.
In conjunction with these changes, the government is also rolling out new protocols aimed at enhancing pre-screening processes, reinforcing security, and improving the overall efficiency of passenger processing at entry points across the country.
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