Kenya has been ranked among the worst-performing countries in Visa openness in Africa even after President William Ruto promised to make the East African nation visa-free.

In the Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) 2024, Kenya was ranked position 46 out of 54 with a score of 0.113 alongside Algeria and Cameroon.

According to the Index, there are Visa requirements for visitors from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

However, the visa is required when travelling from the remaining 47 African countries to Kenya.

Ruto Pledge to Make Keny Visa Free

In December 2023, Ruto announced that Kenya would be a visa-free country by the beginning of 2024.

Speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations, Ruto said that Kenya is the home of humanity and people don’t need visas to come home.

“It is with great pleasure, as President of this extraordinary country to make a historic announcement of the decision of the Government of Kenya,” he said.

“Beginning January 2024, Kenya will be a visa-free country.”

This was followed by the development and implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Also Read: UK Announces Changes in Visa Application for Kenyans and 26 Other Countries

The Complete Ranking

Benin, Rwanda, Seychelles and Gambia were ranked first with a score of one.

The four countries have no visa requirements for visitors from any African country.

Ghana came in second with o.868 followed by Cape Verde and Nigeria with a score of 0.864.

The next three positions are as follows Guinea-Bissau (0.849), Mauritania (0.830) and Mauritius (0.826).

Burundi was 11^th with 0.823 followed by: Mozambique (0.815), Sierra Leono (0.811), Comoros and Djibouti (0.800).

Visa is required on arrival to Comoros and Djibouti from any African nation.

Somalia and Madagascar are ranked 17 with 0,785 behind Senegal (0.792).

Ethiopia is 19^th with 0.732 followed by Tanzania and Namibia with 0.706 and 0.653.

Countries with a score slightly above 0.4 include Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Côte d’Ivoire.

Further, countries with 0.3 scores include Tunisia, Uganda, Mali, Guinea, South Africa, Angola, Niger, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Eswatini and Lesotho.

Chad, Togo, Liberia, Central African Republic and Republic of the Congo had scores of 0.2.

Other countries ranked ahead of Kenya include Gabon, Morocco, São Tomé and Príncipe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Algeria and Cameroon.

However, Kenya beat Egypt, South Sudan, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Sudan.

Also Read: Ruto Announces New Kenyan Digital Nomad Visa

What is Visa Openness 

Visa openness refers to the ease with which visitors are authorized to enter their country of destination.

A more visa-open country has a liberal or relaxed visa policy for visitors, meaning that visitors either do not need a visa to enter its territory or can obtain a visa upon arrival.

A more visa-restrictive country requires visitors to obtain a visa before they travel. Visitors might obtain the visa from an embassy, a consulate, or another source.

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