All Africans will be permitted to travel visa-free to Rwanda from now on. The announcement was made yesterday, making Rwanda the latest nation on the African continent to make an announcement of this nature.
The announcement is aimed at boosting free movement of people and to trade to rival Europe Schengen zone. According to data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Rwanda still relies on 60% of its tourists from outside Africa.
The announcement was made by Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame where he spoke about the potential of Africa as a united tourism destination.
“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,” he said. “Africans are the future of global tourism as our middle class continues to grow at a fast pace in the decades to come.”
After its implementation, Rwanda will join the ranks of the fourth African nation to eliminate travel restrictions for fellow Africans, aligning with countries such as Gambia, Benin, and Seychelles that have already extended visa waivers to African nationals.
Kenya’s President William Ruto announced Monday plans to allow all Africans to travel to the East African nation visa-free by December 31.
“Visa restrictions amongst ourselves is working against us. When people cannot travel, business people cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel we all become net losers” said Ruto at an international summit in Congo Brazzaville.
