President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has announced the introduction of visa-free travel for all Africans, positioning Rwanda as the fourth African nation to implement such a policy. This announcement, made on Thursday, comes as a significant step towards fostering intra-African unity and enhancing the continent’s tourism industry.
This development aligns with the broader goal of the African Union to promote the free movement of people and goods, contributing to the integration and development of the continent.
President Kagame declared, “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.”
The decision underscores Rwanda’s commitment to promoting free movement across the African continent, recognizing the potential of a growing tourism market driven by the expanding middle class in Africa.
Rwanda has been actively seeking to boost its tourism sector through various initiatives. In collaboration with prominent football clubs such as Arsenal and Bayern Munich, the country has endeavored to promote itself as an attractive tourist destination.
With this announcement, Rwanda joins Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin as the only African countries providing visa-free entry to all African citizens.
Also in a related development, Kenya’s President William Ruto recently declared that Kenya will also end visa requirements for all African visitors by 2024, reinforcing the commitment to visa-free travel across Africa.
Various African nations have engaged in bilateral agreements to facilitate visa-free travel. Recent examples include Ghana and South Africa, as well as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, strengthening the ties between countries and facilitating increased movement within the continent.
