Kenya has announced a new visa-free travel policy for citizens of almost all African countries, marking a significant step toward regional integration and tourism growth. The country’s cabinet revealed that the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, previously required for entry, will now be dropped for African visitors—except for Somalia and Libya, citing security concerns.
This directive aims to support open skies policies, enhance ease of travel, and bolster tourism development. Under the revised system, citizens from most African nations can visit Kenya without prior authorisation and stay for up to two months. However, East African Community (EAC) members—Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi—are allowed up to six months, aligning with regional bloc agreements.
Despite the progress, Kenya ranked 46th out of 54 countries on the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index, a drop of 17 places, reflecting the mixed reception of its previous ETA system.
The ETA, which required visitors to pay $30 and apply three days before travel, faced criticism for complicating travel and discouraging potential tourists. The government defended it as necessary for pre-screening and security, given the threat from al-Shabab militants operating in Somalia.
To further enhance the visitor experience, Kenya has pledged to implement new airport guidelines within a week, although the exact start date for the visa-free policy remains unspecified.
This move signals Kenya’s commitment to fostering regional unity, boosting tourism, and simplifying entry for African travelers, while balancing the need for security.
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