The visa-free entry for Kenyans to South Africa from the start of next year is a long-overdue and crucial step forward in connecting two of the continent’s tourism and economic powerhouses.
This is according to Kwakye Donkor, CEO of Africa Tourism Partners, who was reacting to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that, from January 1, 2023, Kenyans will be allowed visa-free entry for 90 days per year.
“These are two of the powerhouses of their regions. This initiative will be highly beneficial for strengthening the ties between East Africa and southern Africa by easing the flow of intra-Africa trade and boosting tourism,” said Donkor.
Currently, South Africa offers visa exemptions (all for 90-day periods) only to Kenyans with diplomatic, official and service passports. The announced visa change will see Kenya being added to a list of 102 countries with citizens who can travel visa-free to South Africa on ordinary passports. Kenya will be the first East African country to be granted this status.
Ramaphosa made the announcement (which could end long-standing complaints from Nairobi on South Africa’s immigration policy) during his state visit to Kenya, after striking an agreement with the newly elected President William Ruto.
“We agreed that indeed Kenyans should be able to visit South Africa without requiring them to have visas, that this dispensation will commence on the first of January 2023, and that our officials will speed up the processes of putting it into effect,” said Ramaphosa.
“Kenyans and South Africans have multiplicities of relations, in business, social, communal and at relative level. They want to be able to travel, and tourism between our two countries will be greatly enhanced through this,” he added.
According to South Africa’s latest tourism stats, Kenya accounted for 1 708 arrivals to the country in August 2022, well behind the numbers contributed by SADC countries, which all enjoy visa-free entry.
“There is scope to grow the arrivals from Kenya significantly. But an announcement does not necessarily mean it will be done by the indicated date. We hope that the process will be expedited,” said Donkor.
