Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
Kenya has removed visa requirements for all African and most Caribbean nations, as countries on the continent continue employing measures to increase intra-African trade.
Holders of Zimbabwean passports previously did not need a visa to enter Kenya but an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), a requirement that has also been scrapped.
This means that travellers from African countries now do not have to fill out lengthy forms and are not required to pay any visa fees.
The Kenyan Government however, said this latest move does not extend to Libya and Somalia “due to security concerns”.
“As part of efforts to support open skies policies and tourism growth, a key proposal is to grant ETA exemptions to all African countries, except Somalia and Libya, due to security concerns,” read part of a dispatch from the Kenyan Cabinet.
Similarly, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Angola recently agreed to pilot the SADC Tourism Univisa, which is expected to boost intra-regional tourism.
The development was announced at the end of the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Harare.
“Summit commended five Member States namely Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe for accepting to pilot the SADC Tourism univisa, a regional instrument which is expected to simplify travel and promote regional tourism within SADC countries to boost intra-regional tourism,” said SADC Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi.
The univisa will allow foreign tourists to move between SADC states, and it is forecast that the region’s tourism industry will witness substantial growth.
Kenya also promised to put in place measures that allow travelers to receive ETA approval instantly, or within 72 hours, depending on operational capacity.
Zimbabwe and Kenya traditionally enjoy cordial relations, with Nairobi’s Ambassador Mrs Getrude Nyausi Angote, pledging to strengthen diplomatic, economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
“Our priorities are in trade and investment, but more importantly, we intend to deepen our diplomatic relations in many ways,” she said during a presentation of her credentials at State House a fortnight ago.
“As you know, Africa is disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change. With the global climate agenda in mind, we are looking to strengthen our relationship with Zimbabwe, to build resilience and implement climate action to address droughts, floods, and other climate-related challenges.”
President Mnangagwa and his Kenyan counterpart, President William Ruto, have laid a foundation for future cooperation, particularly through their current roles in continental and regional bodies.
“We are looking at continuing those kinds of relations and deepening engagements,” she said.
