Kenya has welcomed its first batch of visitors under its new visa-free policy, which aims to boost tourism and trade in the East African nation. The policy, which took effect on Friday, allows passport holders from 53 African countries and the rest of the world to enter Kenya without applying for a visa beforehand.
The visitors arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) through the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, a digital platform that verifies the identity and purpose of travel of each traveler. The ETA system is expected to enhance security, efficiency, and convenience for travelers and immigration officials.
According to Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Citizens Services, the government has received over 5,000 ETA applications since announcing the visa-free policy in December 2023 and has approved 2,141 of them. He said the policy is part of Kenya’s commitment to embrace globalization and open its borders to the world.
Kenya hopes to attract five million tourists annually with the visa-free policy, up from 1.5 million in 2022. Tourism is one of the key sectors of the Kenyan economy, contributing about 10% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and employing over two million people. The sector was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, which caused travel restrictions and lockdowns around the world.
The visa-free policy is also expected to facilitate trade and investment between Kenya and other countries, especially in Africa. Kenya is a signatory to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent. The policy will make it easier for Kenyan businesses to access new markets and opportunities in Africa and beyond.
The policy has been welcomed by various stakeholders in the tourism and business sectors, who see it as a positive step towards enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness and attractiveness as a destination. Some of the benefits of the policy include reduced travel costs, increased tourist arrivals, improved customer satisfaction, and increased revenue for the government and the private sector.
However, the policy also comes with some challenges and risks, such as potential abuse by criminals, terrorists, and illegal immigrants. To address these concerns, the government has proposed amendments to the immigration laws that will introduce pre-screening measures for travelers, such as Advance Passenger Information (API) screenings. The API will collect biometric and biographic data from passengers before granting the ETA, allowing for prior security checks and verification.
The proposed amendments, which are contained in the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Regulations, 2023, also seek to modernize and integrate the immigration processes and services, and replace the term “visa” with “Electronic Travel Authorization”. The amendments are awaiting approval by the parliament and the president.
The visa-free policy is a bold and ambitious move by Kenya to position itself as a leader and a hub in the region and the continent. It is also a gesture of goodwill and solidarity with the rest of the world, especially Africa, as it seeks to foster closer ties and cooperation. Kenya is now among the few countries in the world that have adopted a visa-free regime for all visitors, joining the likes of Seychelles, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.
As Kenya opens its doors to the world, it also hopes to showcase its rich and diverse culture, heritage, and natural beauty, and to share its vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future for all.
Source: Business Day
