- Kenya scrapped visa requirements for all foreign visitors on December 12, 2023, but introduced a Sh4,500 entry fee.
- The ETA document is valid for 90 days upon entry into Kenya.
Image: PCS
Ethiopians travelling to Kenya will henceforth receive Electronic Travel Authorization free of charge.
Kenya scrapped visa requirements for all foreign visitors on December 12, 2023, but introduced a Sh4,500 entry fee through the issuance of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
The move was aimed at promoting Kenya as a tourist destination and to attract business travellers.
In a joint communiqué on Wednesday, Ruto and visiting Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held talks and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties in sectors such as Trade and Investment, Tourism and Transport.
“The leaders also noted the need to undertake measures for the enhancement of people-to-people interaction and the facilitation of increased trade between Kenya and Ethiopia,” the joint statement read in part.
“For this reason, and in recognition of long-standing historical understandings, Kenya confirmed that the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) shall be issued gratis to Ethiopian citizens.”
Gratis is Latin for ‘favour’ or ‘free’ in the prevailing context.
Ethiopia now joins South Africa, Eritrea, Congo-Brazzaville, Comoros, Mozambique, and members of the East African Community (EAC) regional bloc as countries exempt from ETA fee charges.
The ETA document is valid for 90 days upon entry into Kenya.
Whilst advocating for the removal of visa requirements especially between African countries, President Ruto said such preconditions are counterproductive.
Facilitation of visa-free travel has been on the Africa Union’s radar for some time but progress towards total unrestricted travel within the continent has been slow.
Many countries have, however, made strides towards this milestone in recent days by entering bilateral agreements.
Kenyans for incidence are allowed to enter South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo visa-free.
In October last year, the governments of Ghana and South Africa also reached a visa waiver agreement to allow citizens of both countries to travel visa-free.
The removal of visa requirements presents a number of economic benefits for the welcoming country. They include increased tourism and trade activity and channelling more foreign direct investment.
This is a result of the freer migration of tourists, traders and business people between countries.
Visa-free travel also removes the logistical hurdles and costs associated with the application for a visa prior to travel.