The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame on Friday morning announced the introduction of visa-free travel for all Africans, making Rwanda the fourth African country to do so over the last few years.
‘Let there be no mistake about it. Any African can get on a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish and will not pay a thing to enter our country,’ President Kagame said on Friday.
He went on to add that that the move was aimed at capitalising on Africa’s growing tourism market, driven by the continent’s growing middle class.
Africa Today News, New York reports that over the last few years, Rwanda who has been on a campaign to boost its tourism sector has partnered with football clubs like Arsenal and Bayern Munich to promote the country as a tourist destination.
Rwanda now joins Seychelles, The Gambia and Benin, the only African countries that provide visa-free entry for all African citizens.
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This week, Kenya’s President William Ruto announced that the country would end visa requirements to all African visitors by 2024.
Several African countries have also entered bilateral agreements for visa-free travel, most recently Ghana and South Africa, and Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a related development, the Federal Government of Nigeria had a few weeks ago disclosed that it has resolved to would employ the principle of reciprocity on the visa-on-arrival policy.
The Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo made this disclosure while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2023 University of Lagos International Week.
‘In this regard, we are also working on strengthening our visa-on-arrival policy,’ he said on Monday in Lagos State.
‘We are working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enforce the principle of reciprocity and a committee has been set up in the ministry to achieve this.’
He also said beginning next year, Nigerians will have their passports delivered at home, offices, and other choice places.