Visa – Jambo! Radio

Rwanda President Kagame Declares Visa Free Entry For All Africans

In a groundbreaking announcement, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has revealed that the country will now allow visa-free entry for all African nationals. This progressive move aims to enhance the free movement of people and foster increased trade within the continent.

During his address at the 23rd Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council, President Kagame expressed his belief that Africans hold the key to the future of global tourism. He stated, “Any African can get on a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish, and they will not pay a thing to enter our country.”

Rwanda joins the ranks of Benin, Gambia, and Seychelles as the fourth African nation to implement such a policy. The announcement comes on the heels of Kenya’s President William Ruto’s recent declaration to permit visa-free travel for all Africans by December 31, further emphasizing the growing momentum towards open borders within the region.

President Ruto, speaking at an international summit in the Republic of Congo, highlighted the detrimental effects of visa restrictions on African countries. He emphasized that such limitations hinder the mobility of businesspeople and entrepreneurs, ultimately resulting in collective loss for the continent.

The decision by Rwanda and Kenya to open their doors to visa-free travel for Africans signifies a significant step towards fostering greater continental unity and economic integration. As more nations embrace this progressive approach, it is expected to pave the way for increased tourism, trade, and cultural exchange within Africa, ultimately benefiting the entire continent.

In a significant development, the governments of Ghana and South Africa have reached an agreement to implement a visa waiver regime for holders of ordinary passports. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in Ghana made this announcement in a statement released on Friday.

According to the statement, the visa waiver agreement between the two countries will come into effect on November 1, 2023. Under this agreement, travellers with ordinary passports will be able to transit through, depart from, and stay in both Ghana and South Africa for a maximum period of ninety (90) days without the need for a visa. However, it’s important to note that this arrangement does not permit individuals to engage in any form of employment during their stay.

The Ministry advised the travelling public to take note of this development, as it will greatly facilitate travel between the two countries and enhance the ease of movement for ordinary passport holders.

In a separate statement, the South African High Commission in Ghana clarified that after the 90-day stay, ordinary passport holders will be required to apply for a visa to enter South Africa. This means that individuals must adhere to the visa requirements once their permitted stay duration has expired.

This visa waiver agreement between Ghana and South Africa is expected to strengthen bilateral relations and promote tourism, business, and cultural exchanges between the two nations. It will provide greater convenience and flexibility for ordinary passport holders travelling for various purposes.

Both governments expressed their commitment to the successful implementation of this visa waiver regime, which will contribute to fostering closer ties and cooperation between Ghana and South Africa.