Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Rwanda announces visa-free travel for all Africans as continent opens up to free movement of people
FILE — President of Rwanda Paul Kagame walks along Downing Street to a meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in London, Thursday, May 4, 2023. Rwanda announced Thursday, November 2, 2023 visa-free entry for all Africans, becoming the latest nation on the continent to announce such a measure aimed at boosting free movement of people and trade to rival Europe’s Schengen zone. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda-File)
Latest News
November 2, 2023

Rwanda announces visa-free travel for all Africans as continent opens up to free movement of people

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Rwanda announced Thursday that it will allow Africans to travel visa-free to the country, becoming the latest nation on the continent to announce such a measure aimed at boosting free movement of people and trade to rival Europe’s Schengen zone.

President Paul Kagame made the announcement in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, where he pitched the potential of Africa as “a unified tourism destination” for a continent that still relies on 60 per cent of its tourists from outside Africa, according to data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

“Any African, can get on a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish and they will not pay a thing to enter our country” said Kagame during the 23rd Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council.

“We should not lose sight of our own continental market,” he said. “Africans are the future of global tourism as our middle class continues to grow at a fast pace in the decades to come.”

Once implemented, Rwanda will become the fourth African country to remove travel restrictions for Africans. Other countries that have waived visas to African nationals are Gambia, Benin and Seychelles.

Kenya’s President William Ruto announced Monday plans to allow all Africans to travel to the East African nation visa-free by December 31.

“Visa restrictions amongst ourselves is working against us. When people cannot travel, business people cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel we all become net losers” said Ruto at an international summit in Congo Brazzaville.

The African Union in 2016 launched an African passport with much fanfare, saying it would rival the European Union model in “unleashing the potential of the continent.” However, only diplomats and AU officials have been issued the travel document so far.

The African Passport and free movement of people is “aimed at removing restrictions on Africans ability to travel, work and live within their own continent,” The AU says on its website.

AU also launched the the African Continental Free Trade Area, a continent-wide free trade area estimated to be worth $3.4 trillion, which aims to create a single unified market for the continent’s 1.3 billion people and to boost economic development.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Two-time defending champion Sabalenka powers past Pegula into US Open final
International News, Latest News
Two-time defending champion Sabalenka powers past Pegula into US Open final
September 10, 2026
NEW YORK, United States (AFP)—Top seed Aryna Sabalenka stayed on course for a third consecutive US Open crown on Thursday, storming into the final wit...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Roehampton Basic School gets new roof, furniture in Hyatt-led project
Latest News, News
Roehampton Basic School gets new roof, furniture in Hyatt-led project
September 10, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Students and staff at Roehampton Basic School in St James returned to a transformed learning environment following an improvement ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Tavares-Finson welcomes free UK visas for Privy Council appellants
Latest News, News
Tavares-Finson welcomes free UK visas for Privy Council appellants
September 10, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Government Senator Christian Tavares-Finson is welcoming an announcement that Commonwealth citizens, including appellants and thei...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Da Villa Juanita reopens after US$1-m upgrade
Latest News, News
Da Villa Juanita reopens after US$1-m upgrade
September 10, 2026
PORTLAND, Jamaica —After more than US$1 million was invested in renovations and structural upgrades, Da Villa Juanita is back on the tourism market, r...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
What to know about Trump’s US$5,000 ‘dividend’ pledge
International News, Latest News
What to know about Trump’s US$5,000 ‘dividend’ pledge
September 10, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)—President Donald Trump has promised $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans retain control of the House of Repre...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Curfew imposed after triple murder in Robin’s Bay
Latest News, News
Curfew imposed after triple murder in Robin’s Bay
September 10, 2026
ST MARY, Jamaica—A 48-hour curfew has been imposed in sections of Islington following a triple murder in Robin's Bay on Wednesday. The affected areas ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
UWI Mona Guild treats 200 children to health checks, supplies in August Town outreach
Latest News, News
UWI Mona Guild treats 200 children to health checks, supplies in August Town outreach
September 10, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Nearly 200 children from August Town, Mona and surrounding communities benefited from free health services, school supplies and ot...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Mexican authorities rescue eight people forced into cartel work
International News, Latest News
Mexican authorities rescue eight people forced into cartel work
September 10, 2026
GUADALAJARA, México (AFP)—Mexican authorities said Thursday they had rescued eight people who had been forcibly recruited by one of the country's most...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct