Kenya has dropped 17 places in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI), falling to 46th out of 54 nations despite introducing a “visa-free” policy earlier this year.
The policy, announced by President William Ruto in October 2023, aimed to eliminate visa requirements for all African visitors starting January 2024.
However, the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has sparked criticism.
Travelers must now apply online for approval before departure, a process some have labeled as “a visa under another name.” The ETA application, which takes up to three days to process, requires documents such as flight details and proof of accommodation.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB), which supports the AVOI, stated that the ETA requirement reduced Kenya’s score on the index. AfDB director Joy Kategekwa highlighted that such systems, while intended to facilitate travel, often replicate traditional visa processes and hinder regional integration.
Kenyan hotelier Mohamed Hersi had previously warned that the ETA system could deter visitors. “The ETA is not the same as visa-free,” he said, echoing sentiments from entrepreneur Gina Din, who described the policy as adding “another bureaucratic layer.”
Previously, visitors from over 40 countries, including several African nations, could enter Kenya visa-free by receiving a passport stamp upon arrival. The ETA now costs $30 for a single entry, valid for 90 days, compared to the previous $50 multiple-entry visa valid for several years.
While some critics argue the policy complicates travel, the Kenyan government defends the ETA as a necessary security measure to vet visitors amid ongoing threats from al-Shabab militants. Despite these measures, Kenya’s tourism industry has seen growth, with over a million international arrivals in the first half of 2024, a 21% increase from the previous year.
The AVOI also revealed that Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and the Seychelles rank highest in visa openness, offering Africans entry without visas. Sudan ranks lowest, followed by Libya, Equatorial Guinea, and Eritrea. The report notes that overall visa openness across the continent has slightly declined, highlighting a gap between regional integration goals and current policies.
