Kenya lifts visa requirements for nearly all African countries

In a historic first for the continent, Kenya has officially abolished visa and electronic travel authorisation (ETA) requirements for citizens of nearly all African countries, exempting only Somalia and Libya due to ongoing security concerns.

Under the new policy, eligible travellers from across Africa can now enter Kenya without pre‑approval, entry forms, or visa fees, and may stay for up to two months. The Standards reports that citizens of the East African Community (EAC) still benefit from a longer, six‑month stay under existing free‑movement agreements. The decision has been framed as a strategic element of Kenya’s open‑skies and tourism‑growth plan, signaling a clear pivot toward becoming a continental access hub. 

Kenyan President William Ruto highlighted the move as essential for easing travel barriers and strengthening economic ties with other African nations. Regional experts and the African Development Bank have praised the move as a major milestone in the push toward visa openness on the continent, aligning with efforts by countries like Benin, Ghana, Rwanda, Seychelles, and The Gambia.

As of today, Kenya stands out as the first African nation to fully eliminate travel authorisation for fellow Africans, marking a pivotal moment in realizing the ideals of the African Continental Free Trade Area and broader Pan-African unity.