Kenya has announced new travel measures aimed at simplifying entry for African nationals by exempting most countries on the continent from the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) requirement. However, Somalia and Libya have been excluded from the exemptions due to ongoing security concerns.
The revised policy, approved during the first 2025 Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at the State Lodge in Kakamega, allows visitors from African countries to stay in Kenya for up to two months.
Citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states will continue to benefit from a six-month stay under the EAC’s free movement protocols.
According to a statement from the Cabinet, the reforms are part of efforts to promote regional integration and enhance tourism.
“As part of efforts to support open skies policies and tourism growth, a key proposal is to grant eTA exemptions to all African countries except Somalia and Libya, due to security concerns. This initiative aims to promote regional integration and ease travel across the continent,” the Cabinet dispatch stated.
Kenya introduced the eTA system in January 2024, requiring all travellers, including children, to obtain prior approval before entry. The permit costs $30 (approximately UGX 115,000) and allows a single entry with a stay of up to 90 days. In addition to the new exemptions, the government has introduced an expedited eTA processing option, with approvals expected within 72 hours.
To further enhance security and efficiency at entry points, the Kenyan government is implementing an Advanced Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record system. This will enable the pre-screening of travellers to bolster security and streamline passenger processing.
Moreover, Kenya has waived eTA fees for travellers from several African nations, including Botswana, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Zambia, Comoros, Eritrea, and the Republic of Congo.
In a bid to improve the overall travel experience, the Cabinet has directed the Secretaries of National Treasury, Transport, Interior, and Tourism to review and report within a week on measures to enhance services at Kenyan airports.
The latest move signals Kenya’s commitment to returning to a more open travel policy, reminiscent of the previous system that allowed citizens from 51 African countries to visit visa-free. It reflects the government’s broader goal of fostering economic growth and intra-African connectivity through simplified travel policies.
