Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame announces visa-free travel for all Africans

Francis Ikuerowo Metro, Politics 03/11/2023

Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, announced a decision to offer visa-free travel for all Africans in a bid to enhance the movement of people and boost trade within the continent.

This move places Rwanda among a growing number of African nations striving for greater integration, mirroring Europe’s Schengen zone, which eliminated passport requirements and border controls across 27 countries.

During a speech in Kigali, Kagame highlighted Africa’s vast potential as a unified tourism destination.

He emphasized the significance of the continent’s own market, stating that Africans are pivotal to the future of global tourism, especially as the African middle class continues to grow rapidly.

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Currently, Africa heavily relies on tourists from outside the continent, constituting 60% of its total visitors, according to data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Addressing the 23rd Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council, Kagame declared, “Any African can get on a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish and they will not pay a thing to enter our country,” said Kagame during the 23rd Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council.

“We should not lose sight of our own continental market. Africans are the future of global tourism as our middle class continues to grow at a fast pace in the decades to come,” he said.

Rwanda’s decision follows the footsteps of other African nations like Gambia, Benin, and Seychelles, which have already eliminated travel restrictions for fellow Africans.

Similarly, Kenya’s President William Ruto recently announced plans to implement visa-free travel to Kenya for all Africans by December 31, further contributing to the continent’s push for enhanced regional integration and seamless travel experiences.