Kenya has announced plans to abolish the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement for citizens of all African countries, except Libya and Somalia. The new policy, effective in 2025, will allow African travellers to stay in Kenya for up to two months without needing an ETA. Citizens from East African Community (EAC) countries—Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi—will be allowed to stay for up to six months.
This move is in line with other African nations such as Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Ghana, Gambia, and Benin, which have adopted visa-free policies to encourage regional cooperation and ease of movement.
According to reports, the Kenyan government has directed various ministries to create guidelines for implementing the policy, aiming to improve the travel experience at airports.
Additionally, Kenya is enhancing its border control systems to ensure better pre-screening, security, and streamlined passenger processing. This shift is part of a wider trend in Africa to promote greater visa openness. According to the Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI), West Africa is leading the charge with several nations, including Benin, The Gambia, Ghana, and Nigeria, offering more liberal visa policies.
