Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced on Thursday at the 23rd World Tourism Council Summit in Kigali that Africans will no longer require a visa to travel to Rwanda.
“Any African can now board a plane to Rwanda without the need to pay for entry into our country,” stated Paul Kagame, explaining that this measure aims to promote the free movement of people and stimulate trade across the African continent.
President Kagame also emphasized Africa’s potential as a “unified tourist destination” for a continent where 60% of tourists still come from outside, according to data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Once implemented, this move will make Rwanda the fourth African country to lift travel restrictions for Africans, joining the ranks of Gambia, Benin, and Seychelles.
Furthermore, President William Ruto of Kenya announced his intention to allow all Africans to visit Kenya without a visa by December 31. This initiative marks a significant step toward enhancing African mobility across the continent.