Kenya has fallen in the latest rankings of visa openness for African visitors, despite introducing a “visa-free” policy earlier this year.
According to the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index, Kenya dropped 17 places to 46th out of 54 countries.
This decline follows the implementation of a new travel authorization system requiring most visitors from African nations to apply online for travel clearance, rather than simply arriving visa-free, as was the case before.
In January 2024, President William Ruto announced that Kenya would eliminate visa requirements for visitors from all African countries, a move that was widely celebrated. However, the new system, known as the Electronic Travel Authorisation, requires most travelers to apply online before departure. The approval process can take up to three days, which some critics argue makes the system feel like a “visa under another name.” East African Community citizens are exempt from this requirement.
A government spokesperson defended the ETA, stating that it was necessary for vetting travelers, citing global security concerns, including threats from terrorism. “We need mechanisms to ensure everyone who is coming to Kenya is not a risk to the country,” the spokesperson explained, referencing attacks by al-Shabab militants from Somalia.
Despite the government’s security rationale, the ETA system has faced criticism. Mohamed Hersi, a hotelier and former chairman of the Kenya Tourism Federation, expressed concerns back in January, pointing out that the ETA was not truly “visa-free.” He argued that the online application process could deter potential visitors, particularly those unfamiliar with it. Similarly, Kenyan entrepreneur Gina Din criticized the policy, saying, “The ETA isn’t progress—it’s still a visa, adding another bureaucratic layer and making travel to Kenya harder, not easier.”
The ETA requires travelers to submit flight details, hotel bookings, and a $30 (£24) fee for stays of up to 90 days.
Although the new policy has raised concerns, tourism to Kenya continues to show positive growth. The country welcomed over one million international visitors in the first half of 2024, a 21% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. The Kenya Tourism Board has highlighted this growth as proof that the sector remains resilient, despite the added travel requirements.
Kenya’s drop in the AVOI rankings is significant, as the country was previously seen as a leader in promoting visa-free travel for African visitors. The AVOI, which is supported by the African Union and the African Development Bank, ranks countries based on their visa policies. The report noted that Kenya’s introduction of the ETA system lowered its score for visa openness.
Countries like Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Seychelles ranked highest for visa openness, allowing Africans to enter without a visa. On the other hand, nations such as Sudan, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, and Eritrea were ranked among the lowest.
The AVOI report also highlighted a slight decline in overall visa openness across Africa. AfDB director Joy Kategekwa commented, “Africans continue to require visas for the most part to enter other African countries,” a trend that runs counter to the continent’s goals for greater regional integration.
