Rwanda, on Thursday, declared its intention to permit visa-free travel for Africans to the country, joining a growing number of African nations adopting this measure to enhance free movement and trade, akin to Europe’s Schengen zone.
President Paul Kagame made this announcement in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, emphasizing the potential of Africa as a unified tourism destination. Data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa indicates that approximately 60% of tourists visiting the continent originate from outside Africa.
Kagame conveyed during the 23rd Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council, “Any African can board a flight to Rwanda at their convenience without incurring an entry fee into our nation.”
He further stressed the importance of focusing on the continental market. “We should not overlook our own regional market,” he noted. “As our middle class grows rapidly in the coming decades, Africans are poised to play a pivotal role in the global tourism sector.”
Upon implementation, Rwanda will become the fourth African country to eliminate travel restrictions for Africans. Gambia, Benin, and Seychelles have previously removed visa requirements for African nationals. Additionally, Kenya’s President William Ruto revealed plans to allow visa-free travel for all Africans to Kenya by December 31.
Ruto expressed, “Visa restrictions among African nations hinder our progress. When people, including business people and entrepreneurs, face obstacles in travel, it adversely impacts our collective prosperity.”
In 2016, the African Union introduced the African Passport with the goal of emulating the European Union model and facilitating the continent’s potential. However, up to now, only diplomats and AU officials have received this travel document.
The African Passport and the concept of free movement aim to eliminate barriers to Africans’ ability to travel, work, and reside within their own continent. The African Union also launched the African Continental Free Trade Area, estimated to be worth $3.4 trillion, with the aim of creating a unified market for the continent’s 1.3 billion people and fostering economic development.
For any enquiries please, email our editorial team at [email protected]. If you liked this story, kindly sign up for Clariform Newsletter, a handpicked selection of stories that helps you clarify things that matter and gives you clear signals about your world, delivered directly to your inbox.
Please subscribe to our YouTube channel, and join thousands of Clariform on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
