Kenya has announced that it will no longer require nationals of most African countries to obtain prior permission to visit.
The move, outlined in a recent Cabinet Directive, aims to ease travel within the continent and support tourism and regional integration.
According to BBC News, the new directive follows Kenya's introduction of an electronic travel authorization (ETA) system last year, which was widely criticized as an “alias visa”.
Under the new system, travelers from most African countries no longer need to apply for an ETA before arriving in Kenya. However, due to ongoing security concerns, Somali and Libyan nationals will still need to obtain prior authorization.
Moving to simplified travel across Africa
According to reports, Kenya's new policy will allow citizens of almost all African countries to visit without an ETA.
The policy change comes after Kenya fell 17 places in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index, now ranking 46th out of 54 countries. Last year, Kenya's visa process was deemed restrictive, requiring travelers to apply for travel authorization online before arrival. The new policy aims to support Kenya's 'open skies' initiative and boost tourism. The Cabinet noted that the simplification of visa procedures is part of broader efforts to promote regional integration and ease movement across Africa.
East African Community countries get special provisions
As part of the new policy, nationals of East African Community (EAC) countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) will continue to benefit from special provisions. EAC nationals can stay in Kenya for up to six months under the bloc's regional agreements on travel and immigration.
Plans to introduce faster approval process
In addition to removing the ETA requirement, Kenya will introduce an enhanced system for travelers to receive instant approvals with processing times of up to 72 hours.
The government has not yet specified when these changes will come into effect, but guidelines to improve the traveler experience at Kenyan airports are expected to be finalized within a week, according to reports.
Security measures remain a priority
Despite the relaxation of entry requirements, safety concerns continue to play a central role in Kenya's travel policy. The government says the new system will strengthen the pre-screening process, increase security and simplify passenger processing at points of entry. The move is in response to continuing threats, including attacks by al-Shabab, an armed group based in neighboring Somalia.
This policy shift is in line with efforts by other African countries, such as Ghana and Rwanda, to make travel easier for African nationals. It also reflects the African Union's broader efforts to reduce barriers to intercontinental migration and promote regional integration.
