Nigerians and other Africans will be able to visit Kenya without needing prior permission, according to a new directive by the Cabinet.
Last year, Kenya introduced a “visa-free” policy that requires most visitors to apply for a permit online before leaving the country.
However, the introduction of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to replace visa requirements for all visitors was criticized as a “visa in another name”.
However, a cabinet statement on Tuesday said ETA would be abolished for “all African countries except Somalia and Libya due to security concerns”.
The move is part of “efforts to support open skies policies and tourism growth” and “to promote regional integration and facilitate transcontinental travel.”
Kenya also said it would introduce enhanced processes and processing times of up to 72 hours that would “enable travelers to receive instant approval.”
It is not clear when this will come into effect, but a Cabinet statement said that multiple ministries have been tasked with proposing guidelines within a week to improve “the traveler experience at all Kenyan airports.” It is said that there is
Before the introduction of ETA, visitors from more than 40 countries, including several from Africa, could arrive in Kenya, get their passports stamped and enter the country without paying anything.
Unless you are a national of an exempt country, all travelers must apply for and pay their ETA at least three days before traveling to Kenya.
The ETA fee is $30 (£24) and is valid for 90 days.
The policy has come under criticism, with some saying it could make it more difficult for potential visitors to enter the country.
Kenya has suggested there was a safety element to introducing the new system, with a government spokesperson telling the BBC last year that it was necessary to vet travelers.
The country has been targeted by al-Shabab jihadist militants from neighboring Somalia in several notorious attacks.
The government announced on Tuesday that it would also introduce a system to enhance “pre-screening, enhanced security and streamlined passenger processing at points of entry.”
Despite introducing the ETA, Kenya ranked poorly in the latest rankings of countries' openness to visitors, dropping 17 places to 46th out of 54 countries on the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index.
Several African countries have attempted to ease travel requirements for visitors from other parts of the continent in recent years, with research showing that visiting is often easier for nationals of Western countries. has been done.
Earlier this year, Ghana announced that all African passport holders would be able to visit visa-free.
Africans visiting Rwanda also do not need a visa to enter the country.
Under the updated system, nationals of most African countries will be allowed to enter Kenya and stay without an ETA for up to two months.
However, members of the East African Community, which includes Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, can stay for up to six months, according to the bloc's policy.
