Today, July 13, 2025, marks a historic milestone in Africa’s journey toward unity and free movement. Kenya has taken a bold and transformative step by eliminating all visa requirements and the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for citizens of nearly all African countries, effective immediately, with exceptions only for Libya and Somalia due to security concerns.
This decision builds on Kenya’s January 2025 policy, which initially allowed visa-free entry for stays up to 60 days but required pre-authorization through an ETA. By fully removing these barriers, Kenya has set a powerful precedent, becoming the first major African nation to truly open its doors to fellow Africans without bureaucratic hurdles.
This is not just a policy shift – it is a clarion call for a united, accessible, and prosperous Africa. The significance of Kenya’s move cannot be overstated. Visa restrictions have long been a barrier to intra-African travel, trade, and cultural exchange, stifling the potential of our continent’s 1.4 billion people.
The African Union’s Agenda 2063 envisions a continent where borders are bridges, not barriers, and Kenya’s decision aligns perfectly with this vision. By allowing Africans to travel freely to Kenya, the nation is fostering economic integration, boosting tourism, and strengthening the bonds of shared heritage.
Tourism, a key driver of economic growth, contributes significantly to Africa’s GDP and job creation. Kenya’s policy will unlock opportunities for cross-border investment, cultural collaboration, and people-to-people connections, paving the way for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to achieve its goal of increasing intra-African trade by up to 109% by 2035.
I urge other African nations to follow Kenya’s example immediately. Visa-free policies are not just symbolic – they are practical steps toward dismantling the colonial legacy of fragmented borders that have hindered Africa’s progress. Countries like Rwanda, Seychelles, and The Gambia have already made strides in easing travel restrictions, but Kenya’s bold leap challenges every African government to act decisively.
The time for incremental steps is over; Africa needs a unified commitment to free movement to unlock the continent’s vast potential. Every African should be able to travel, trade, and connect without unnecessary obstacles, and Kenya’s policy is a blueprint for what is possible when courage meets vision.
As we celebrate Kenya’s landmark decision, I am proud to lead the Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign, an initiative endorsed by the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Beginning on August 18, 2025, in Accra, Ghana, our team of 11 – comprising seven campaign crew members and four Ghana Television personnel – will embark on a historic 120-day, 600-hour road journey across 39 African countries.
Traveling in three vehicles, we will visit Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Our mission is to meet heads of government, policymakers, and regional leaders to advocate for visa-free policies, aligning with the African Union’s Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons and Agenda 2063.
The significance of our campaign lies in its bold ambition to translate vision into action. By engaging leaders and communities across 39 nations, we aim to build momentum for a continent-wide commitment to free movement. Kenya’s policy is a beacon of hope, proving that change is possible when political will meets the aspirations of the African people.
Our journey will amplify this message, showcasing the beauty, diversity, and potential of Africa’s tourism sector while advocating for policies that make travel accessible to all Africans. Through partnerships with media giants like the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, South African Broadcasting Corporation, Channels Television, Asaase Radio, Graphic Communications Group, Radio Gold, Liberia Broadcasting System, among others,we will reach millions with our #OpenAfrica#OpenOpportunities message, inspiring collective action.
I call on businesses, governments, and Africans across the continent and diaspora to support this transformative campaign. Businesses can sponsor critical needs like accommodation, fuel, and vehicle maintenance, gaining visibility across our media platforms. Governments can facilitate stakeholder engagements and visa coordination, while individuals can join the call for visa-free travel by sharing our message and participating in our community events.
Together, we can build on Kenya’s historic step to create an Africa where every citizen can move freely, trade effortlessly, and celebrate our shared identity. The Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign is a movement for all Africans.
Email: [email protected]
By Ras Mubarak, Campaign Lead, Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign.
