Rwanda has announced a new policy to eliminate visa requirements for all African citizens visiting the country, following recent similar moves by nations like Gambia, Benin and Seychelles. Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame revealed the visa removal during an event in Kigali, emphasizing Africa’s potential as a unified tourism destination. He noted that currently 60% of tourists to the continent come from outside Africa, according to data from the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
The visa removal aligns with the African Union’s goals to unlock the continent’s potential through freer movement of people, akin to the EU passport. The AU introduced an African passport in 2016 for diplomats and officials, with the ultimate vision of removing barriers to Africans’ ability to travel, work and reside in their own continent. The AU has also established the African Continental Free Trade Area to spur economic growth and create a single market for Africa’s 1.3 billion citizens.
By lifting visa restrictions, Rwanda joins a small but growing movement across Africa to stimulate tourism, business and trade by enabling freer movement for African citizens. This supports the AU’s objectives for an integrated, prosperous continent where Africans can more easily live, work and travel within their own countries and across borders.
