Countries on the African continent have simplified visa regimes

In 2023, most African countries have made significant progress in liberalising visa regimes. Rwanda and Kenya have become the latest to completely abolish visa requirements for all African travellers, joining Gambia, Benin and Seychelles.

Kenya's immigration department received about 10,000 applications for the new electronic travel authorisation (ETA) in January 2024. According to Julius Bitok, head of the department, the applications were processed according to the travel schedule provided by each applicant.

Kenya plans to more than double the number of tourists – from two million to five million a year, thanks to the new system. This is reported by The Herald.

Liberalisation of visa policy will not only make travel easier, but will also significantly contribute to the development of trade in goods and services, cross-border investment and general prosperity. This was stated by the African Development Bank Group Vice President, Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade.

In 2023 there seemed to be significant improvements in visa policies across the continent, including regional blocs such as the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community.