Rwanda Joins the List of Countries Allowing Visa-Free Travel for African Citizens
President Kagame emphasized, "Make no mistake about it. Any African can hop on a plane and come to Rwanda whenever they wish, and they won't have to pay anything to enter our country."
Rwanda has joined the list of countries that now permit visa-free travel for people who are citizens of other African countries. As one of the African nations that many people like to visit, Rwanda has introduced visa-free travel for all African visitors.
The President of the country, Paul Kagame, announced on Thursday that Africans will no longer need to pay any fees to enter Rwanda. He emphasized that anyone traveling from any African country to enter Rwanda will enjoy visa-free travel.
This new development makes Rwanda the fourth country in Africa to offer visa-free access to African visitors. President Kagame emphasized, “Make no mistake about it. Any African can hop on a plane and come to Rwanda whenever they wish, and they won’t have to pay anything to enter our country.”
He added that this new initiative aims to capitalize on the growing tourism industry in Africa. Rwanda is a highly attractive destination for tourists due to its stunning landscapes and attractions. The country has also partnered with major clubs like Arsenal and Bayern Munich to promote itself as a prime tourist destination.
African Countries with Visa-Free Access
According to the 2022 Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI), Benin, Seychelles, and The Gambia were the only African countries that allowed visitors from all other African nations to enter visa-free. These three countries were ranked first, second, and third, respectively, in the report. With this new announcement, Rwanda has now joined this exclusive list.
The report also reveals that nine of the top 20 countries with the most visa-free travel options in Africa are located in West Africa. These countries include Benin, The Gambia, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Togo, and Sierra Leone. Senegal ranked fourth, Ghana fifth, and Nigeria seventh among African countries with open visa policies.
In addition, four of the top 20 countries with the most visa-open policies in Africa are situated in Southern Africa, namely Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, and Namibia, as per the report. East Africa is represented by six countries in the top 20, including Comoros, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Rwanda has now joined Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin as one of the African countries that do not require visas for African visitors to enter.
