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Africa is home to more than 1.4 billion people across 54 countries, and the movement of its people is increasingly being recognised as a cornerstone of economic growth, aviation development, and regional integration. While cross-border travel within Africa has historically faced administrative and cost-related barriers, the continent is steadily moving toward a more open and connected future. Across regions, governments are rethinking visa policies and acknowledging that mobility is not a threat to manage, but a powerful enabler of opportunity.
Over the past decade, meaningful progress has been made. A growing number of African countries now offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to fellow Africans. This shift is particularly visible in West Africa, where ECOWAS has long enabled free movement of people, supporting trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. East Africa, Southern Africa, and parts of North Africa are also advancing reforms, simplifying entry requirements to encourage travel, business, and collaboration. These developments reflect a broader understanding that connectivity strengthens economies and deepens regional ties.
Some countries have gone even further. Rwanda has emerged as a continental leader by granting visa-free access to all African passport holders. The thinking behind this policy is clear and deliberate: removing barriers to entry increases visitor numbers, attracts investment, strengthens tourism, and positions the country as a hub for conferences, innovation, and regional engagement. Other countries such as The Gambia, Benin, and Seychelles have adopted similar approaches, reinforcing the idea that openness can be a strategic economic advantage rather than a concession.
Bilateral agreements have also proven to be powerful tools in advancing mobility, and one of the most compelling examples is the visa-free travel agreement between Kenya and South Africa. In November 2022, Kenya’s President William Ruto and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Kenyan passport holders would be allowed to enter South Africa without a visa for stays of up to 90 days, effective from January 2023. Prior to this agreement, travel between the two countries was constrained by visa costs and administrative processes, which limited spontaneous travel and suppressed demand.
The results following implementation were immediate and measurable. In 2022, before the visa requirement was lifted, Kenyan tourist arrivals to South Africa were significantly lower. By the end of 2023, arrivals from Kenya had risen to approximately 42,400 visitors, representing a 99 percent increase compared to the previous year. This surge not only exceeded 2022 figures but also surpassed comparable pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating that policy reform rather than market recovery alone was a key driver of growth. More broadly, Africa accounted for over 75 percent of South Africa’s international tourist arrivals in 2023, with Kenya ranking among the fastest-growing source markets.
To fully appreciate why visa policy matters, it is important to understand the rationale behind visa fees. Governments often rely on visa fees as a direct source of revenue and as a way to fund administrative systems. For instance, if a country charges an average visa fee of 150 dollars and receives 500,000 visitors, that translates into approximately 75 million dollars in direct government income. From a fiscal perspective, this revenue is immediate and predictable, which explains why visa fees remain attractive to many governments.
However, this approach captures only a fraction of the broader economic impact of travel. When visa requirements are reduced or removed, visitor numbers tend to increase significantly. If those same 500,000 visitors are encouraged to travel more freely and each spends an average of 600 dollars on flights, accommodation, food, transport, and activities, the total economic contribution reaches around 300 million dollars. This spending circulates through the economy, supporting airlines, airports, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and small businesses, while also generating tax revenue through consumption rather than entry fees.
This is where reconciliation is needed. Visa fees provide short-term certainty, but mobility-driven tourism delivers long-term, diversified growth. Increased travel supports higher passenger volumes for airlines, improved route viability, better aircraft utilisation, and the creation of jobs across the aviation value chain. Airports experience greater footfall, hospitality sectors expand, and thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities emerge. As economies grow and incomes rise, citizens themselves become more likely to travel, reinforcing a positive cycle of mobility and demand.
Aviation sits at the heart of this ecosystem. When borders are more open, airlines can plan routes with confidence, tourism authorities can market destinations more effectively, and investors and entrepreneurs can move with fewer restrictions. In this environment, aviation becomes more than a mode of transport; it becomes a catalyst for integration, trade, innovation, and shared prosperity.
The progress achieved so far deserves recognition. Africa is not standing still. Visa openness is improving, regional cooperation is strengthening, and success stories are emerging across the continent. Countries like Rwanda demonstrate what is possible when policy aligns with vision, while bilateral agreements such as the Kenya–South Africa arrangement show how targeted reforms can unlock immediate and measurable economic benefits.
Looking ahead, the future of African mobility is promising. As more governments reassess the balance between control and opportunity, and as evidence continues to show the economic value of openness, momentum will continue to build. A more connected Africa means fuller flights, thriving tourism industries, stronger regional trade, and expanding opportunities for businesses and individuals alike.
Africa’s journey toward seamless movement is not about removing borders, but about reimagining them as bridges rather than barriers. The foundations have been laid, progress is visible, and the direction is clear. With continued collaboration, thoughtful policy, and trust in the power of its people, Africa is steadily moving toward a future where travel fuels growth, aviation flourishes, and the continent connects more deeply with itself and with the world.
