Kenya ends pre-authorization of ETA visas for all African visitors.

According to the new guidelines issued by the Cabinet, Kenya will allow citizens of all African countries to visit without prior permission.

Last year, Kenya introduced a “visa-free” policy that required many visitors to apply online before leaving the country.

But the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which replaced the visa requirement for all visitors, is called a “visa by another name”.

A cabinet statement last Tuesday said the ETA would be terminated “due to security concerns for all African countries except Somalia and Libya”.

This, he said, “is part of efforts to support open skies policies and tourism growth” and “promote regional integration and ease travel across the continent.”

Despite the introduction of the ETA, Kenya’s final ranking of openness to visitors dropped 17 places out of 54 countries to 46th in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index.

Many African countries have attempted to ease travel requirements for visitors to the continent in recent years, with studies showing that it is easier for citizens of Western countries to visit.

At the beginning of this year, Ghana has all African passport holders He can now visit without a visa. African visitors to Rwanda do not need a visa to enter the country.

Efforts to facilitate travel within the continent are also being pushed by the African Union.

Under the revised system, citizens of most African countries will be allowed to enter Kenya and stay for up to two months ETA-free.

But members of the East African Community, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, can stay for up to six months under EU policy.

Kenya also said it would introduce an improved process that would “enable travelers to obtain permits instantly” and a maximum of 72 hours.

It is not clear when this will be implemented. Several ministries have been tasked with coming up with guidelines within a week to improve “the passenger experience at all Kenyan airports,” according to a cabinet statement.

Before the ETA, visitors from more than 40 countries, including several African countries, were able to enter Kenya without paying any fees by noting their passports.

All travelers must apply and pay for an ATA at least three days before traveling to Kenya, unless they are citizens of an exempted country.

The ETA fee is $30 (£24) and is valid for 90 days.

The policy has been criticized by some as making it more difficult for visitors to come to the country.

Kenya has indicated that there is a security component to introduce the new system, a government spokesperson told the BBC last year that it was necessary to screen travellers.

The country has been the target of several deadly attacks by al-Shabaab jihadist militants from neighboring Somalia.

On Tuesday, the government said it was introducing a system that would “enhance pre-screening, strengthen security and streamline passenger processes at entry points”.