Rwandan President Paul Kagame has made it possible for Nigerians and all Africans to travel to Rwanda without the burden of visas. Rwanda now stands alongside nations like the Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin in offering visa-free access to the entirety of the African continent.
Speaking on BBC News Africa X handle, President Kagame emphasized, “Let there be no mistake about it. Any African can board a plane to Rwanda at their convenience, and they won’t incur any entry fees.” This bold decision is seen as a strategic step to capitalize on the thriving tourism market spurred by Africa’s expanding middle class.
Rwanda has been actively promoting its tourism sector by partnering with renowned football clubs such as Arsenal and Bayern Munich to showcase the country as a prime tourist destination. Moreover, various African countries have been forging bilateral agreements for visa-free travel, with recent examples being Ghana and South Africa, as well as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Adding to this momentum, Kenyan President William Ruto announced at an international conference in Congo Brazzaville that Kenya will abolish visa requirements for all African visitors by the end of the year. Ruto passionately expressed, “When people cannot travel, businesspeople cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all become net losers.” He went on to declare, “As Kenya, by the end of this year, no African will be required to have a visa to come to Kenya.” His words were met with resounding applause from the conference attendees, highlighting the shared commitment to facilitating greater freedom of movement within Africa. Ruto concluded, “Our children from this continent should not be locked within borders in Europe and also be confined by borders in Africa.”