Kenya’s position in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) has significantly declined, dropping 17 places to 46th out of 54 countries despite the government’s introduction of a visa-free policy for African travelers. In 2023, President William Ruto’s announcement that Kenya would eliminate visa requirements was initially met with enthusiasm, but changes in the visa system have led to criticism. The new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system requires most travelers from the continent to apply online for permission before traveling, which some experts argue is akin to a visa in practice. Although citizens from the East African Community (EAC) are exempt from this requirement, the new reality has made it more cumbersome for visitors from other African nations to gain access to Kenya.
The AVOI, which assesses the visa accessibility of African countries with backing from the African Union and managed by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), indicated that Kenya’s mandatory ETAs for most travelers have adversely affected its ranking. Joy Kategekwa, AfDB’s director, pointed out that the ongoing requirement for visas to travel within Africa contradicts the continent’s aspirations for greater regional integration. The report criticized the ETA process, stating that it adds unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles rather than fostering ease of movement. As highlighted by Kenyan hotelier and tourism expert Mohamed Hersi, the ETA system simply mirrors the existing visa procedures without genuinely facilitating travel, despite the government’s claims to the contrary.
The introduction of the ETA has necessitated documents such as flight confirmation and hotel reservations, along with a fee of $30 for a permit valid for 90 days. Previously, visitors from over 40 countries could enter Kenya without paying upon arrival and could secure a multiple-entry visa for a longer duration for just $50. Critics of the new policy, including Kenyan entrepreneur Gina Din, argue that the ETA represents a step backward in terms of accessibility and urges the government to reconsider its approach to welcoming travelers.
Concerns about security, particularly following various attacks by al-Shabab militants from neighboring Somalia, led the Kenyan government to justify the introduction of the ETA as a means to vet incoming travelers. A government spokesperson has emphasized the necessity of the ETA for identifying potential security risks to the country. Despite these concerns, overall tourism numbers for Kenya have shown resilience; the country experienced over one million international visitors in the first half of 2024, reflecting a 21% increase compared to the previous year, which suggests that the new travel regulations have not deterred tourism from outside the continent.
In assessing the broader context of visa openness in Africa, countries like Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Seychelles have emerged as leaders in accessibility, allowing travelers from other African nations to enter without visas. At the same time, Sudan, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, and Eritrea remain at the bottom of the index, indicating significant challenges in visa accessibility in those regions. The report’s authors noted a slight overall decline in the continent’s score despite some positive developments, synonymous with the ongoing struggle for improved regional travel policies and the aspirations for more seamless travel within Africa.
As Kenya faces increasing scrutiny over its visa policies post-ETA implementation, lingering discontent among stakeholders in tourism and cross-border travel organizations might prompt re-evaluations of current regulations. Advocates for easier access maintain that the vision of a unified, connected Africa can only be realized through collaborative efforts to streamline travel protocols, thereby enhancing opportunities for trade, tourism, and inter-country relations. The government of Kenya must weigh these perspectives against its security imperatives to ensure the country remains a viable destination for African and international travelers alike.
