Kenya has announced that it is easing entry requirements for citizens of most African nations in a bid to foster regional integration and boost tourism. The new directive, issued by the Kenyan cabinet, eliminates the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement for nearly all African visitors, allowing them to enter the country without prior approval. Visitors from most African countries can now stay in Kenya for up to two months, while citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states—Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi—can remain for up to six months under the bloc’s free movement protocols. However, travellers from Somalia and Libya are excluded from the policy due to security concerns.
The move comes after Kenya faced criticism for its previous travel policies, particularly the ETA system introduced last year. Designed to replace traditional visa requirements, the ETA was widely seen as a “visa under another name,” drawing backlash for its perceived administrative hurdles and costs. Critics argued it contradicted Kenya’s stated goal of facilitating intra-African travel, especially as the country dropped 17 places to 46th out of 54 nations in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index. The index, which ranks African countries based on the ease of travel for continental visitors, highlighted how Kenya lagged behind nations like Ghana and Rwanda, which have implemented visa-free policies for all African passport holders. The African Union has long advocated for such measures to enhance mobility and economic integration across the continent.
Kenya’s decision aligns with a broader trend among African nations to simplify travel for their continental counterparts. Studies have shown that it is often easier for Western nationals to visit Africa than for Africans to travel within the continent. Ghana recently announced visa-free access for all African passport holders, while Rwanda has maintained a similar policy for years.
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Kenya’s new system also includes plans for an enhanced approval process, promising results within 72 hours to ensure smoother entry for travellers. The cabinet has tasked several ministries, including those for transport, interior, and tourism, with developing guidelines to improve the overall experience at Kenyan airports.
This policy shift is a stark reversal from Kenya’s earlier stance, which prioritised security over accessibility. The ETA was initially introduced to enhance traveller vetting, particularly in light of threats from groups like al-Shabab in neighbouring Somalia. However, the system’s inefficiencies and its impact on Kenya’s openness ranking prompted a re-evaluation. The government now appears committed to balancing security with the economic benefits of increased tourism and regional trade.
Kenya’s new travel policy could be seen as an attempt to repair its image and reaffirm its role as a regional leader. By easing entry for African visitors, the country hopes to strengthen ties with its neighbours and capitalise on the economic potential of intra-African tourism. The government has also hinted at further reforms, including a return to a more open system reminiscent of the pre-ETA era, when citizens from 51 African countries could visit Kenya visa-free.
With this new policy, Africans will be watching closely as issues with such policies have always been on implementation. The promised 72-hour approval process and improved airport experiences will be critical to ensuring the policy’s success. With tourism and regional trade at stake, Kenya’s ability to balance openness with security could serve as a model for other African nations striving to enhance continental mobility.
Source: Africa News