In response to ongoing debates about travel accessibility within Africa, Kenya has taken significant steps to enhance tourism by easing travel requirements for visitors from nearly all African countries.
Kenya Revamps Travel Policy for African Visitors: A Historic Shift
Kenya Revamps Travel Policy for African Visitors: A Historic Shift
Kenya opens its doors wider to tourists, easing travel restrictions for most African nations while addressing security concerns.
Kenya has announced a major policy change that will allow citizens from almost all African nations to visit without seeking prior authorisation. This directive, issued by the cabinet, marks a shift from the “visa-free” policy that initially mandated visitors to apply online for the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to their trip. Although the ETA was introduced as a more efficient alternative, it was criticized by many as just a "visa under another name."
As of the recent cabinet statement, the ETA requirement is set to be lifted for all African countries, with the exception of Somalia and Libya, which are still considered high-risk due to ongoing security issues. This measure aims to support Kenya’s open skies initiative, stimulate tourism, and foster regional integration through easier travel across the continent.
Despite the launch of the ETA, Kenya's international openness has been scrutinized, as evidenced by its drop to 46th place out of 54 in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index. The current action is a continuation of a broader movement among African nations to simplify travel for visitors from other African countries, with Ghana recently announcing a similar visa exemption and Rwandan policies reflecting ease of access for African passport holders.
According to the new regulations, citizens from most African nations can enter Kenya without an ETA and can remain for up to two months. However, members of the East African Community—such as Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi—will be granted a stay of up to six months, in accordance with their regional agreements.
The Kenyan government is also working on a faster approval process for travelers designed to provide instant responses to applications, with a maximum waiting period of 72 hours for any needed approvals. This streamlined process is expected to be implemented shortly following extensive discussions within governmental ministries on improving traveler experiences at Kenyan airports.
Prior to the ETA's introduction, citizens from over 40 countries could enter Kenya effectively visa-free. Nonetheless, the current requirement for all visitors to apply and pay for an ETA in advance has raised concerns regarding its potential deterrent effects on tourism. The impact of security fears stemming from threats posed by al-Shabab militants has also been highlighted as a factor that justifies new travel measures.
To further enhance travel security and efficiency, the government also mentioned the rollout of a new system aimed at bolstering pre-screening processes while expediting passenger processing at Kenyan entry points. As travel norms shift, the African Union continues to advocate for more cohesive travel policies within the continent. The government’s ongoing efforts reflect the intertwining relationship between tourism growth and security within the region.
