Rwanda has announced that it will allow visa-free travel for all Africans to the country, joining a small but growing list of nations on the continent taking this step to encourage free movement and boost tourism. President Paul Kagame made the announcement in Kigali, emphasizing Africa’s potential as a unified tourism destination and the importance of the continent’s middle class for future global tourism.
Rwanda’s decision aligns with the country’s push to promote African tourism. Data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa indicates that 60% of tourists in Africa come from outside the continent. Rwanda’s move to allow visa-free travel for Africans aims to facilitate greater regional integration and make travel more accessible, benefiting businesses, entrepreneurs, and the African middle class.
Once implemented, Rwanda will be the fourth African country to remove travel restrictions for Africans. The other countries that have waived visas for African nationals are Gambia, Benin, and Seychelles. Kenya’s President William Ruto also recently announced plans to allow all Africans to travel to Kenya visa-free by the end of the year.
The African Union launched an African passport in 2016, aiming to unleash the continent’s potential and promote free movement. However, so far, only diplomats and AU officials have been issued this travel document.
