‘More Positivity From Intra-Continental Trade as Kenya Opens Borders for Africans,’ Expert says
10:59 28.07.2025 (Updated: 11:07 28.07.2025)
‘More Positivity From Intra-Continental Trade as Kenya Open Borders for Africans,’ Expert says
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Today's episode explores three fascinating segments that celebrate Africa's potential and brilliance. From boosting Kenya's tourism sector and promoting pan-African integration through travel and trade to showcasing local inventions in Tanzanian agriculture, concluding with celebrating Nelson Mandela's leadership and legacy.
Kenya Welcomes African & Caribbean Tourists With Open Arms
Kenya has taken a bold step by removing visa requirements for African and Caribbean travelers—but what does this mean for the continent? Could Kenya become the gateway to Africa’s economic renaissance? In an informative conversation with our guest, Kelvin Mugambi Kubai, a lawyer at the African Center for Corrective and Prevention Action in Kenya, we explore the ripple effects—increased intra-trade and investments, as well as stronger Pan-African ties—while examining the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“This is a very positive step in the right direction, primarily because it's a positive step towards a free Africa continental trade, which has been signed by many African countries but has faced a lot of hurdles to begin with, visa restrictions faced by, or rather that have been put in place by, various government regimes across Africa [....] In the short term, it will increase movement for visitors of African descent and Caribbeans coming to Kenya. And there will be a hike in tourism activities and so on and so forth [...] the only downward effect would be the security mechanisms and policies in place because we may have some other, not well-meaning visitors coming to the country,” the lawyer explained.
Moreover, removing the electronic travel authorization requirement for African visitors would be an improvement over the visa policies of Western countries, which are mostly biased against Africans, as Kubai noted.
“For a very long time, it [visa restrictions] has been a disservice to ourselves, in that we have been more welcoming to the Western, to citizens from the Western world against our own neighbors, like it would have been easier for someone to travel from the UK or US to Kenya, as opposed to from, let's say, Zimbabwe to Kenya [....] the removal of even the ETA, although some may argue that we may lose some money that comes as a result of this ETA. In the long run, we'll gain more as a result of the trade and balancing the trade deficit, especially among ourselves. There is more good, and there is positivity from the intra-continental trade that we may now start seeing as a result of the removal of this ETA, as opposed to having the ETA,” he pointed out.
Promising Invention for Tanzanian Local Farmers to Boost Food Production
Agriculture is the heartbeat of Tanzania’s economy—yet pests threaten its lifeline. But there’s hope! Meet Innocent Mabilika, a young Tanzanian innovator turning the tide. With ingenuity and local resources, he designed a pest-control sprayer to help farmers boost crop yields and secure food supplies. In an exclusive chat with Sputnik Africa, Mabilika shares his vision: to transform farming in Tanzania and beyond.
This [pesticide spraying machine] can contribute significantly, especially considering the efforts of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has invested heavily in agriculture, along with Minister Bashe, the Minister of Agriculture. They both believe agriculture is the backbone of Tanzania and should be prioritized. So, if agriculture is really the backbone, then every Tanzanian should be involved because once you have food, everything else in life can follow [.....] I’m African, I’m Tanzanian, and I deeply care about Africa, especially when it comes to agriculture, because I believe it is the backbone of life. After five years, I’m confident I’ll have achieved great things and contributed to real, large-scale progress,” the young innovator expressed.
Mandela’s Enduring Impact and Legacy
Nelson Mandela wasn’t just a leader—he was a global beacon of hope, resilience, and unity. His fight against apartheid and his dream of an inclusive South Africa changed history. But what can today’s leaders and youth learn from his legacy?
Pan-African Frequency sat down with Dr. Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, former director-general of Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission, to unpack Mandela’s enduring impact—from his years in prison to his presidency and beyond. Together, we explore how his unwavering vision continues to inspire Africa and the world, lighting the way toward a brighter, more united future.
“Mandela's name, Mandela's example would resonate with young people who are demonstrating on the streets of Nairobi, in Mozambique, in Nigeria, because we must have new values to be able to develop the African continent. Those values will not come from America, will not come from the IMF, will not come from Washington. There must be values that are rooted in the realities of the African people, the African working people, the African peasantry, the African youth [...] so Mandela's name will always resonate for people fighting for justice on the African continent and around the world,“ he expounded.
Tune in to listen to the full conversation with our guests on the Pan African Frequency podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
