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Kenya Cancels ETA Pre-Authorization for Nigerians, African Visitors, Approves Visa-Free Entry

Kenya has unveiled a significant shift in its travel policy, allowing citizens of nearly all African nations to visit the country without prior authorisation, as part of efforts to boost regional integration, enhance tourism, and align with open skies policies.

The new guidelines, confirmed by a Cabinet statement on Tuesday, eliminate the need for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for most African visitors, excluding those from Somalia and Libya due to security concerns.

“This is a major step toward fostering regional integration and boosting our tourism sector. We are committed to enhancing mobility for our African brothers and sisters,” a government official stated in the Cabinet announcement.

This move aims to facilitate easier travel within the continent, as Kenya seeks to foster closer ties with its African neighbours and strengthen its position as a regional hub for tourism and business.

Under the new policy, citizens from most African countries can now visit Kenya and stay for up to two months without requiring pre-approval or a visa.

Citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states—Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi—are allowed to stay for up to six months in line with regional agreements.

The change marks a departure from the Electronic Travel Authorisation system, which was introduced last year to replace traditional visa requirements for most visitors.

The ETA system required travellers to apply online and pay a fee of $30 for pre-approval, but it was widely criticized as “a visa under another name” due to its cumbersome nature.

Critics argued that, despite the policy being presented as visa-free, it still imposed a significant barrier to travel, particularly for African nationals seeking to visit Kenya.

“The introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation was presented as a move toward facilitating travel, but in practice, it was still a visa in all but name. This new policy is a much-needed change,” said one travel expert in Nairobi.

Kenya’s decision to roll back the ETA requirement comes at a time when the country’s standing in the Africa Visa Openness Index has fallen sharply.

The latest rankings show that Kenya dropped 17 places, now sitting at 46th out of 54 African nations. This shift highlights the challenges Kenya faces in balancing its desire for greater regional integration with the need to maintain security protocols.

In response to concerns about Kenya’s declining visa openness, a government spokesperson said, “This policy is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Kenya remains a leader in African tourism and regional cooperation. While security remains a top priority, we are committed to simplifying travel for African citizens.”

The new policy is seen as an attempt to simplify travel across Africa and stimulate tourism, which has been a vital sector for Kenya’s economy. However, the move has not been without its critics.

Some have questioned whether the scrapping of the ETA system will address the root causes of the country’s decline in visa openness rankings, especially as the country faces growing concerns over security at its borders.

“The travel policy is a step in the right direction, but it’s important to balance the desire for openness with robust security measures. If security is not handled properly, this could undermine the effectiveness of the policy,” said Dr. Samira M. Karanja, an expert in regional policy.

To address these issues, the Kenyan government has pledged to enhance its pre-screening procedures and strengthen security at entry points.

The new approach also promises to improve traveller experiences at airports, with an emphasis on faster processing times and the introduction of instant travel approvals for most visitors.

Kenya Cancels ETA Pre-Authorization for Nigerians, African Visitors, Approves Visa-Free Entry

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According to government sources, the maximum processing time for travel approvals is now expected to be reduced to 72 hours.

“We are introducing a streamlined process to ensure that visitors can be processed quickly while maintaining high security standards. The maximum waiting time for approvals will be 72 hours, a significant improvement,” said a senior official at Kenya’s Ministry of Interior.

Despite these positive steps, concerns about the implementation of the new policy remain. Kenya’s ministries have been tasked with finalizing the specific guidelines within the next week, leaving some uncertainty about how quickly the changes will take effect.

Meanwhile, the government has reassured the public that its security protocols will remain robust, especially regarding visitors from countries that still require additional scrutiny.

Kenya’s move follows similar policies adopted by other African nations, such as Ghana and Rwanda, which have also worked to ease intra-African travel restrictions.

These policies align with the African Union’s broader agenda to create a more interconnected continent, where people and businesses can move freely across borders to foster economic growth and cooperation.

“Kenya’s decision will be a major boost for the African Union’s agenda on free movement. It’s encouraging to see more countries adopting policies that prioritize the mobility of people across the continent,” said Dr. Peter Mwaura, an economist and policy analyst.

However, despite Kenya’s positive steps toward improving regional mobility, the ongoing scrutiny of the ETA system underscores the need for greater transparency and efficiency in visa policies.

Initially, Kenya had extended visa-on-arrival privileges to citizens of over 40 countries, allowing for free and immediate entry. Critics argue that the introduction of the ETA system undermined the spirit of visa-free travel that had been in place.

“Kenya had been a leader in facilitating easy travel in the region, and the introduction of ETA undermined that legacy. This policy shift is a return to the principles of openness that Kenya had championed for many years,” said a regional travel analyst.

As Kenya works to navigate these challenges, it remains to be seen how the new travel policies will affect the country’s tourism and diplomatic relations with other African nations. With the timeline for full implementation still in flux, both government officials and travellers are awaiting further clarification on the details of the changes.

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