https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231030/kenya-to-launch-visa-free-travel-for-african-visitors-by-year-end-president-ruto-1063192158.html
Kenya to Launch Visa-Free Travel for African Visitors by Year-End: President Ruto
Kenya to Launch Visa-Free Travel for African Visitors by Year-End: President Ruto
Sputnik Africa
Visa-free travel across the continent has been a long-standing objective of the African Union (AU) over the last ten years. Despite various regional and... 30.10.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-10-30T12:24+0100
2023-10-30T12:24+0100
2023-10-30T12:24+0100
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Kenya will abolish visa requirements for all African visitors by the end of the year, President William Ruto announced last week at the Summit of the Three Basins on Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Tropical Forests in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.The Kenyan leader stated that the move is aimed at enhancing trade with African nations, emphasizing that limitations drastically impede local businesses and regional growth. Addressing the conference, President Ruto highlighted the comparatively low rate of intra-African trade and called for the removal of travel restrictions and reduction of customs tariffs within the continent to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Ruto recalled that trade between countries in the East African Community (EAC) had increased significantly following the elimination of visa requirements and tariffs.Earlier this month, after meeting his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenco, President Ruto announced the resumption of direct flights between Nairobi and Luanda, as well as the activation of a visa-free regime to facilitate the movement of people. He noted that the decision was part of the countries' efforts to boost bilateral trade.In May, during the African Private Sector Dialogue Conference on Free Trade, President William Ruto told African delegates that this could be the last time they pay for visas to visit the country.The African Union launched its African passport in 2016 with the intention of allowing all African citizens to travel across the continent visa-free. However, the passport is not yet widely accessible due to concerns regarding security, smuggling, and the passport's potential impact on local employment markets.Only Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin allow entry for all African citizens without a visa, according to the 2022 Africa's Visa Openness Report. The report indicated that most African countries are making progress in simplifying entry procedures and lifting restrictions for other nations in the region.It was noted that the vast majority of African countries currently allow visa-free travel to at least five other African nations, and more countries are investing in technology to help visitors obtain an e-visa before departure.In 2022, Kenya ranked 31st out of 54 countries on the African Visa Openness Index, which indicates the level of openness that each country on the continent has towards visitors from other African nations. Yet, the country received the highest ranking for visa-free reciprocity among members of several regional blocs, including the EAC and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231003/angola-introduces-visa-free-regime-for-russian-tourists-1062514898.html
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Kenya to Launch Visa-Free Travel for African Visitors by Year-End: President Ruto
Visa-free travel across the continent has been a long-standing objective of the African Union (AU) over the last ten years. Despite various regional and bilateral agreements, advancement towards unrestricted travel within the region has been reported as stagnant.
Kenya will abolish visa requirements for all African visitors by the end of the year, President William Ruto announced last week at the Summit of the Three Basins on Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Tropical Forests in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
"By the end of this year, no African will need a visa to enter Kenya. The time has come to understand the importance of doing trade between us," he said.
The Kenyan leader stated that the move is aimed at enhancing trade with African nations, emphasizing that limitations drastically
impede local businesses and regional growth.
Addressing the conference, President Ruto highlighted the comparatively low rate of intra-African trade and called for the removal of travel restrictions and reduction of customs tariffs within the continent to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Ruto recalled that trade between countries in the East African Community (EAC) had increased significantly following the elimination of visa requirements and tariffs.
"It is time we... realize that having visa restrictions amongst ourselves is working against us," the president said, adding: "When people cannot travel, businesspeople cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all become net losers."
Earlier this month, after meeting his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenco, President Ruto announced the resumption of direct flights between Nairobi and Luanda, as well as the activation of a
visa-free regime to facilitate the movement of people. He noted that the decision was part of the countries' efforts to boost bilateral trade.
In May, during the African Private Sector Dialogue Conference on Free Trade, President William Ruto told African delegates that this could be the last time they pay for visas to visit the country.
The African Union launched its African passport in 2016 with the intention of allowing all African citizens to travel across the continent visa-free. However, the passport is not yet widely accessible due to concerns regarding security, smuggling, and the passport's potential impact on local employment markets.
Only Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin allow entry for all African citizens without a visa, according to the 2022 Africa's Visa Openness Report. The report indicated that most African countries are
making progress in simplifying entry procedures and lifting restrictions for other nations in the region.
It was noted that the vast majority of African countries currently allow visa-free travel to at least five other African nations, and more countries are investing in technology to help visitors obtain an e-visa before departure.
In 2022,
Kenya ranked 31st out of 54 countries on the African Visa Openness Index, which indicates the level of openness that each country on the continent has towards visitors from other African nations. Yet, the country received the highest ranking for visa-free reciprocity among members of several regional blocs, including the EAC and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
