Rwanda has announced that it will allow visa-free travel for Africans visiting the country, joining a growing number of nations on the continent that have implemented such measures.
The move is aimed at promoting the free movement of people and trade in Africa, similar to Europe’s Schengen zone.
President Paul Kagame unveiled this decision during the 23rd Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council held in Kigali, Rwanda.
He highlighted the potential of Africa as a unified tourism destination, emphasising the need to tap into the continent’s vast tourism market.
Currently, Africa relies on 60% of its tourists from outside the continent, according to data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Kagame stated that any African can travel to Rwanda without needing to pay for a visa, promoting easier access and tourism within the continent.
He emphasised the importance of recognising the African market’s significance and the continent’s growing middle class, which is expected to play a crucial role in global tourism in the coming decades.
Once implemented, Rwanda will become the fourth African nation to eliminate travel restrictions for Africans.
Gambia, Benin, and Seychelles have already waived visa requirements for African nationals. In addition, Kenya’s President William Ruto recently announced plans to allow visa-free travel for all Africans to Kenya by the end of the year.
These measures are seen as a significant step towards promoting greater unity and cooperation among African nations.
The African Union launched the African passport in 2016, designed to enable the free movement of people and remove travel restrictions within the continent.
While the passport has been issued to diplomats and AU officials, there is a broader goal to provide it to all African citizens.
The African Union has also initiated the African Continental Free Trade Area, a massive continent-wide free trade zone estimated to be worth $3.4 trillion.
The aim is to create a unified market for Africa’s 1.3 billion people and stimulate economic development across the continent.
These efforts are critical in advancing the African Union’s vision of promoting continental integration, free movement, and increased cooperation among African nations.
Source: AP News