Focus on Africa Confusion over Kenya’s new visa-free policy for visitors
Jan 9, 2024
Serena Williams, a sport's all-time greats, discusses her admiration for the images of young African tennis players taken by a Ghanaian photographer. The podcast also explores the confusion surrounding Kenya's new visa-free policy and the rebuilding efforts in Mozambique after Cyclone Idai.
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Ambitious Visa-Free Goal Met With Confusion
- President William Ruto announced Kenya would be visa-free for all visitors, aiming to boost Pan-African travel and trade.
- The rollout created the impression people could just travel with passport and ticket, but implementation differed in practice.
Journalist's Frustrating Visa Experience
- André Lombard tried to use the new system and found it required hotel confirmations, airline bookings and company letters.
- He paid about US$32 and said the process felt like applying for a visa, not visa-free entry.
Processing Delays Threaten Trade
- Businesses warned the online permit could delay travel because it advertises a three-business-day processing time.
- That delay risks hurting quick trade trips and intra-African commerce that relied on on-the-day travel.