Kenya to lift visa requirement for all Africans from December

Key Takeaways

The goal of achieving visa-free travel within the African continent has been a long-standing objective of the African Union (AU) for the past decade. While there have been some regional agreements and bilateral arrangements in place, progress toward fully eliminating visa requirements could be faster. As of a 2022 AU-backed report, only Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin allow entry to all African citizens without the need for a visa. However, the Africa Visa Openness Index, which assesses the level of openness of African countries to visitors from other African nations, shows that many countries are making strides in simplifying entry processes and reducing restrictions for travelers from other African countries. In 2022, Kenya was ranked 31st on this index out of 54 African states, indicating its commitment to increasing openness. Kenya has agreements to permanently eliminate visa requirements for citizens of Eritrea Comoros, and Senegal. In August, Indonesia also joined the list. These developments reflect a broader trend towards greater visa openness within the continent, aligning with the AU's objectives.