The president of Rwandan, Mr Paul Kagame, has announced the lifting of visa restrictions for Africans planning to visit the country.
He said this in Kigalki when he pitched the potential of Africa as ‘a unified tourism destination’
“Let there be no mistake about it. Any African can get on a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish and will not pay a thing to enter our country,” he announced.
Rwanda has been on a campaign to boost its tourism sector, partnering with European football clubs like Arsenal and Bayern Munich to promote the country as a tourist destination.
“We should not lose sight of our own continental market. Africans are the future of global tourism as our middle class continues to grow at a fast pace in the decades to come,” the president said.
Meanwhile, the president of Kenya, Mr William Ruto said the country would end visa requirements to all African visitors by the end of 2023.
“It is time we… realise that having visa restrictions amongst ourselves is working against us,” he said at an international summit held in Congo Brazaville
“When people cannot travel, businesspeople cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all become net losers.
“Let me say this: As Kenya, by the end of this year, no African will be required to have a visa to come to Kenya.
“Our children form this continent should not be locked in borders in Europe and also be locked in borders in Africa,” he added
Visa-free travel within the continent has been a goal of the African Union (AU) for the past decade.
While there are regional deals and bilateral arrangements, progress towards no restrictions has been slow.
Only Seychelles, The Gambia and Benin offer entry to all African citizens without a visa, according to a 2022 AU-backed report.
