01 Nov Kenya to scrap visas for all African nationals

As part of a movement to open up trade and travel within the continent, Kenya will be scrapping the requirement for visas for all African nationals, fueling business interaction and economic security in the process.

“By the end of this year, no African will be required to have a visa to come to Kenya,” Kenya’s president, William Ruto, announced at a climate change conference in Congo-Brazzaville.

High airfares and costly visa requirements have stifled trade opportunities for Africa, slowing the growth of the region. With the new regulation, individuals will be free to make more imports and exports.

Kenya will be the fourth African country to make the change and offer unrestricted travel to Africans, after the Gambia, Benin and Seychelles.

Seychelles, an East African island nation that relies heavily on tourism, was the first to do so in 2016.

Recently, African officials have implemented several initiatives which focus on tourism, pointing out the incredible potential for growth within Africa.

Kenya’s announcement has been met with positive reactions from Africans online on various social channels, with many users expressing hopes that other countries will follow suit.