Kenya will allow citizens of almost all African countries to visit without prior approval, according to a new government directive.
Last year, Kenya introduced a “visa-free” policy that requires most visitors to apply online for authorization before leaving their country.
But the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which replaced the visa requirement for all visitors, has been criticized as a “visa by another name”.
On Tuesday, a government statement said ETA would be dropped for “all African countries except Somalia and Libya – due to security concerns”.
It said it was part of “efforts to support the open skies policy and the growth of tourism” and “promote regional integration and facilitate travel across the continent”.
Despite the introduction of the ETA, Kenya fared worse in the latest ranking of how open it is to visitors, falling 17 places to 46th out of 54 countries in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index.
Several African countries have tried to ease travel conditions for visitors from other parts of the continent in recent years, and studies show that citizens of Western countries often find it easier to visit.
Earlier this year, Ghana said they were all African passport holders now they could visit it without the need for a visa. African visitors to Rwanda also do not need a visa to enter the country.
The move to facilitate travel within the continent is also being encouraged by the African Union (AU).
Under the updated system, citizens of most African countries will be allowed to enter Kenya and stay without an ETA for up to two months.
However, members of the East African Community, which includes Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, can stay for up to six months in line with the bloc’s policy.
Kenya also says it will introduce an improved process “that will allow travelers to obtain approval instantly” and a maximum processing time of 72 hours.
It is not clear when this will take effect. Several ministries have been tasked with proposing guidelines within a week to improve the “passenger experience at all Kenyan airports”, according to a government statement.
Before the introduction of ETA, visitors from more than 40 countries, including several from Africa, could arrive in Kenya, get their passports stamped and enter without paying anything.
All travelers must now apply and pay for an ETA at least three days before their trip to Kenya, unless they are nationals of an exempt country.
The ETA fee is $30 (£24) and is valid for 90 days.
The policy has drawn criticism, with some noting that it could make it more difficult for potential visitors to enter the country.
Kenya has indicated there is a security element to the introduction of the new system, with a government spokesman telling the BBC last year that it was necessary to screen passengers.
The country has been targeted by al-Shabab jihadist militants from neighboring Somalia in several notorious attacks.
The government said on Tuesday that it is also introducing a system that will improve “pre-screening, strengthen security and streamline passenger processing at entry points”.
