Kenya climbed two spots to 29th on the Africa visa openness ranking, but still lags behind regional neighbors in welcoming visitors. However, President Ruto’s recent move to abolish visas for all visitors starting next year promises a significant leap in accessibility and a potential tourism bonanza.
The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) 2023 report reveals that Kenya’s visa-free entry for Djibouti and Mozambique citizens helped boost its ranking. However, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Tanzania still hold the East African crown, likely influencing Ruto’s decision to open Kenya’s doors.
Last year’s pandemic restrictions had seen Kenya slip to 31st, but with the blanket visa removal, the report predicts a significant jump in the 2024 rankings. While 32 countries currently require visas for Kenya, 19 African nations enjoy visa-free access, a number set to expand dramatically soon.
“Rwanda holds a perfect score,” the AfDB report notes, highlighting the region’s potential for open borders. Kenya’s recent Jamhuri Day announcement to abolish visas aims to tap into this potential, targeting the 1.46 million tourists who visited in 2023 and countless more business travelers and investors.