Kenyan President William Ruto has announced a significant policy change, pledging to eliminate visa requirements for African visitors by the end of this year. This move has received widespread acclaim, positioning Kenya as the fourth African country, following Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin, to abolish visas for fellow African nationals. The African Union (AU) has long championed the cause of unrestricted travel within the continent, and this development aligns with that vision.
President Ruto, speaking at an international conference, emphasized the need to discard visa restrictions within the African continent, as he stated, "It is time we realize that having visa restrictions amongst ourselves is working against us." This policy shift reflects a commitment to fostering greater unity and connectivity among African nations.
However, an evaluation of Africa's Visa Openness Index, which gauges the openness of countries to visitors from other African states, reveals that many nations are gradually simplifying entry procedures and reducing restrictions. In 2022, Kenya was ranked 31st out of 54 African states on this index. President Ruto, speaking at a summit focused on conserving large rainforests, underscored the adverse impact of visa restrictions on business and entrepreneurship within the continent, asserting, "When people cannot travel, businesspeople cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all become net losers."
He added, "Our children from this continent should not be locked in borders in Europe and also be locked in borders in Africa."
The African Union had introduced the African passport in 2016, with the ultimate aim of enabling all African citizens to travel throughout the continent without requiring visas. However, this initiative has faced challenges related to security concerns, smuggling, and potential effects on local employment markets, limiting its widespread availability.
While the complete removal of visa restrictions remains a significant undertaking, the Visa Openness Index report proposes alternative measures, such as reducing fees, implementing visa-on-arrival provisions for African visitors, and establishing a secure e-visa system, to facilitate easier and more accessible travel across the continent.
0 Comments