Rwanda has emerged as a leading advocate for visa openness in Africa in 2023, as highlighted in the recently released Africa Visa Openness Report on December 12. The report, a collaborative effort by the African Development Bank and the African Union Commission, unveils this year’s Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI), assessing the degree to which African nations welcome visitors from other African countries.

According to the report, Rwanda’s progressive visa policies over the past eight years have positioned it at the forefront. In 2016, Rwanda allowed citizens from nearly 90% of African countries to obtain visas on arrival, later extending this privilege to all African nations. The move aligns with Rwanda’s commitment to the African Union’s Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence, and Right of Establishment—a commitment shared by only four countries that have signed and ratified the protocol.

President Akinwumi Adesina of the African Development Bank Group emphasized the importance of people’s freedom to move in facilitating trade. Rwanda’s policy, based on the visa-on-arrival principle since 2018, culminated in the March 2020 Visa Regime, eliminating visa requirements and fees for all Africans from the 55 countries on the continent.

During the 23rd World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit in Kigali on November 2, 2023, President Paul Kagame proudly announced that any African can fly to Rwanda without entry fees, underscoring the nation’s commitment to open borders.

The report indicates that Africa has made substantial progress in visa openness policies, fostering cross-border travel, ease of movement, and trade beyond 2023. In comparison to the seventh edition in December 2022, the 2023 report reveals the highest-ever score for visa openness, surpassing pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels.

Since the inaugural report in 2016, 36 countries have improved their index scores, with 42 countries offering visa-free entry to citizens from at least five other African nations. Notably, Rwanda, Benin, The Gambia, and Seychelles have eliminated all visa requirements for African travelers. The overall metrics show improvement, with 28% of intra-Africa travel scenarios not requiring visas, down from 47% in 2022 and 55% in 2016. This progress signifies a significant stride toward facilitating family visits, education pursuits, business interests, and tourism across the continent. Jean-Guy Afrika, Acting Director of the African Development Bank’s Regional Integration Coordination Office, emphasizes the positive impact on unlocking Africa’s potential by reducing overly restrictive visa regimes.