Kenya has been ranked among the bottom ten countries that offer visa-free entry in Africa. This is according to the latest Visa Openness Index 2024 which ranked Kenya at position 46 out of 54 countries on the continent.
Kenya garnered an Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) score of 0.113 which is based on the ease with which African citizens can travel to other African countries.
AVOI measures the extent to which African countries are open to visitors from other African countries. It is calculated by aggregating the individual scores for the country’s visa policy as applied towards the citizens of every other African country.
In the report, Kenya’s visa processing times were significantly longer compared to its regional counterparts who have streamlined their processes to allow for quicker approvals.
The AVOI evaluates how accessible countries are for travellers based on their visa policies. Factors such as the ease of obtaining visas, the number of countries that can be visited without a visa, and the overall efficiency of visa processing systems are considered to arrive at the score.
High fees to obtain a visa is one key factor that pushed Kenya to the bottom quartile. It is observable that when fees are increased, few visitors choose to visit the country.
CNN Journalist Larry Madowo, commenting on Kenya's lacklustre ranking, complained of the high fees to get a visa. "In May, I explained to President Ruto why the ETA isn’t working as he promised. He insisted that Kenya is now visa-free even though it isn’t. Now we have data with receipts to prove my point," he stated.
For example, Rwanda emerged top in East Africa due to its visa policy that allows Citizens of countries in the African Union (AU), Commonwealth and La Francophonie to get free visas upon arrival in Rwanda for a visit not exceeding 30 days. Benin and Seychelles, Rwanda, and The Gambia maintained top positions as the only fully visa-free countries for all Africans.
The ease of navigating the application process also plays a vital role in the overall openness of a country’s visa system. The report suggested that applicants faced challenges such as unclear guidelines and insufficient support during the application in countries in the bottom quartile.
In contrast, countries neighbouring Kenya have adopted more favourable visa policies that enhance their attractiveness as travel destinations.
Rwanda has implemented an e-visa system that allows for quick online applications and approvals. At the same time, Uganda improved its visa processing by offering electronic visas and reducing waiting times significantly.
The improvements point to a trend among several African nations towards greater openness and accessibility which contrasts sharply with Kenya’s current standing which is falling behind its African peers in terms of visa processing efficiency.
Of 54 countries on the continent, 17 have improved their AVOI score over the past year, building on the 15 countries that showed an improvement in the last edition.
President William Ruto in October announced a new initiative that will allow foreign travellers in transit to explore the country without the need for a visa.
He announced the introduction of the Transit and Long Connection Travellers Electronic Travel Authorisation, which will permit passengers with layovers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to leave the airport and visit the capital, Nairobi, and surrounding areas.
“Travellers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) with time between connection flights will therefore now be able to immerse themselves in Magical Kenya instead of waiting at the terminals,” Ruto stated.
