By : Lloyd Mahachi
Kenya has dropped 17 places to 46th out of 54 nations in the latest Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) rankings. This is despite introducing a “visa-free policy” earlier this year. The new policy requires visitors from other African countries to apply online for electronic pre-authorisation before traveling to Kenya. This development has raised concerns among tourists and business travelers who had expected a more relaxed visa regime. The drop in ranking is a significant setback for Kenya’s tourism industry, which had been expecting a boost from the new policy.
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system determines if applicants are eligible to travel to Kenya and can take up to three days to be processed. Citizens from the East African Community regional bloc are exempt from this requirement. The AVOI report says Kenya’s requirement for ETAs prior to travel for most travelers from other African countries lowered its score. The report also notes that the ETA system is not as straightforward as it seems, with some applicants experiencing delays or difficulties in obtaining approval.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the African Union support the AVOI report. The report evaluates the accessibility of African countries based on visa policies. AfDB director Joy Kategekwa says that Africans continue to require visas for the most part to enter other African countries, which is a contradiction to the continent’s aspirations for regional integration. She notes that the free movement of people is essential for promoting economic growth, cultural exchange, and social cohesion within the continent.
President William Ruto announced the visa-free policy last year, but the ETA system has been criticized as being “a visa under another name.” Hotelier and former chairman of the Kenya Tourism Federation Mohamed Hersi says he raised concerns about the ETA system in January, saying it was “not the same as visa-free” and could make it more difficult for potential visitors to come to the country. Hersi argues that the ETA system is a bureaucratic hurdle that could deter tourists and business travelers from visiting Kenya.
The ETA system requires travelers to provide documents such as flight details and proof of hotel booking. Except for EAC citizens, all travelers must pay $30 for an ETA, which is valid for 90 days. Previously, travelers could pay $50 for a multiple-entry visa that could be valid for several years. The new system has been criticized for being more expensive and less convenient than the previous visa regime.
The Kenyan government introduced the ETA system for security reasons, including vetting travelers to prevent terrorism. Kenya has been targeted by al-Shabab jihadist militants from neighboring Somalia in several notorious attacks. The government argues that the ETA system is necessary to ensure the safety and security of tourists and citizens alike. However, critics argue that the system is overly restrictive and could harm the tourism industry.
Despite the ETA system, Kenya has seen an increase in international visitors. The country welcomed over a million international visitors in the first six months of 2024, a 21% increase from last year. According to the AVOI report, Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and the Seychelles are ranked the highest in visa openness, with Africans requiring no visas to enter these countries. These countries have implemented policies that promote free movement of people, goods, and services, which has contributed to their economic growth and development.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi