Kenyan President William Ruto announced plans to remove visa requirements for all Africans by the end of 2023 to enhance trade within the continent.
“By year-end, no African will require a visa to enter Kenya. It’s crucial to boost trade between us,” stated Ruto during the summit of major forest basins in Brazzaville, Congo, encompassing the Amazon, Congo, and Borneo-Mekong basins.
“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,” he said to loud cheers from the attendees.
Recognizing the low intra-African trade rate, Ruto urged for reduced customs tariffs across Africa to hasten the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“Our children form this continent should not be locked in borders in Europe and also be locked in borders in Africa,” Ruto added.
The African Union (AU) introduced the African passport in 2016, aiming for visa-free travel for all African citizens across the continent. However, its widespread adoption has faced challenges due to concerns over security, smuggling, and potential impacts on local employment markets.
Based on a 2022 AU-backed report, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin are the only countries that provide visa-free entry to citizens from all African nations.