President of Kenya, William Ruto, has announced that, by the end of 2023, Africans seeking to travel to Kenya will no longer require visas. President Ruto made this groundbreaking announcement during his address to an audience in Congo-Brazzaville. The move comes as a strong push towards enhancing trade, tourism, and overall development within the African continent.
President Ruto stressed that such barriers have a negative impact on business, impede the aspirations of entrepreneurs, and hinder the growth of trade and tourism. “When people cannot travel, business people cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all become net losers,” President Ruto emphasized during his announcement.
President Ruto’s vision goes beyond just simplifying travel logistics. He believes that the removal of visa requirements will help unlock the true potential of the African continent. He stated, “By the end of this year [2023], no African will be required to have a visa to come to Kenya. Our children from this continent should not be locked in borders in Europe and also be locked in borders in Africa.” This vision is a powerful step towards creating a more interconnected and united Africa, where the free movement of people and ideas can thrive.
Kenya’s move isn’t the only one of its kind. It follows in the footsteps of a recent visa waiver agreement between Ghana and South Africa. These two nations recently announced that Ghanaians seeking to travel to South Africa and vice versa can now do so without the need for a visa, effective from November 1, 2023. This step, too, is a testament to the growing spirit of cooperation and unity within the African continent.
