Kenya has announced a significant policy change, allowing citizens of nearly all African countries to enter without prior authorisation. According to the BBC, the decision is part of efforts to promote regional integration, facilitate travel, and grow the tourism sector.
Under the new directive, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), introduced last year to replace visa requirements, will no longer apply to visitors from all African nations except Somalia and Libya, citing security concerns. The cabinet’s statement emphasised that this move aligns with Kenya’s vision to support open skies policies and ease mobility across the continent.
Previously, the ETA system was criticised as being a ‘visa under another name.’ It required travellers to apply and pay $30 at least three days before travel, causing delays and dissatisfaction among potential visitors.
Citizens from East African Community (EAC) member states, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, will still enjoy extended stays of up to six months in Kenya, consistent with EAC policies. Visitors from other African nations will be granted entry for up to two months without ETA requirements.
The government also pledged to enhance airport processes by introducing instant travel approvals and a maximum processing time of 72 hours. However, it remains unclear when these changes will take effect, as ministries have been tasked to draft guidelines within a week.
Despite its visa-free policies, Kenya ranked 46th out of 54 nations in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index, dropping 17 places. This decline highlighted ongoing challenges with travel accessibility. Kenya has justified the ETA’s initial introduction as a security measure, pointing to past attacks by al-Shabab militants from neighbouring Somalia.
The government has now proposed a system to strengthen pre-screening and security checks while simplifying passenger processing at entry points.
Kenya’s move aligns with a broader continental push for easing travel restrictions. Ghana recently announced visa-free travel for African passport holders, and Rwanda has maintained a similar policy for years. The African Union (AU) continues to advocate for enhanced mobility within the continent to drive economic growth and regional cooperation.
By relaxing ETA requirements, Kenya aims to position itself as a more accessible and attractive destination for African travellers, fostering tourism and strengthening ties across the continent.
Credit: africabriefing
