Openness Has Always Been Kenya’s Story

Openness has always been Kenya’s story and a core part of its identity on the continent. Long before this visa-free initiative was announced, the country had long carved a reputation for itself as East Africa’s gateway to the world. As far back as the late 1950s, the “Kennedy Airlifts” took many young East Africans, among them Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai and Barack Obama Sr., to American universities. This was illustrative of how freedom of movement in a more connected world could transform lives both home and abroad.

So, it came as scant surprise to most when in December 2023, President William Ruto declared that beginning 2024, Kenya would drop visa requirements for most African visitors, saying, “It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya.” (Condé Nast Traveler)

This resonated as a bold statement of pan-African identity. However, when the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) was introduced to replace the visitors’ visa, it met with heavy criticism due to its cost (a $30 fee) and processing time (it can take up to 3 days to be approved). The Kenyan government in its response explained that this was procedural necessity to ensure that travelers were fully vetted. Nevertheless, the overall impression that this created challenged the perception of free movement that the December 2023 announcement implied with many interpreting it as a ‘’visa under a new name’’

In a more recent development, that Kenyan authorities have removed any visa or ETA requirements and thus opened access to the country open to travelers from all African countries, excluding Libya and Somalia.

This new policy which completely removes the usual travel encumbrances such as visas or fees for citizens of most African nations also offers special dispensations for nationals of the East African Community States who can now stay in Kenya for up to six months while citizens from other eligible African countries are granted a 60-day visa-free entry.

Supporters see this as a clear step toward integration and probably one that might inspire other African nations that may have been considering this policy to accelerate its adoption. In doing this, Kenya has joined other nations such as Ghana, Rwanda, Benin Republic, and Gambia in bringing closer the goal of the African Union 2063, the African Union’s strategic agenda to prioritise inclusive social and economic development, continental and regional integration, democratic governance and peace and security amongst other issues aimed at repositioning Africa to becoming a dominant player in the global arena. This alongside other salient objectives served as the foundation for the initiation of The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).

Yet, behind the optimism and applause, there are questions to be answered: who really stands to gain, and what might slip through the cracks?

Who’s Cashing In on Open Borders?

Why Tourists Are Smiling
The immediate payoff will be the tourism industry, which is one of Kenya’s highest contributors to its economy. When the ETA was still in place, official data showed that over the first half of 2024, more than one million international visitors arrived, a 21% increase year-on-year. (BBC, Nairametrics) Now, with this removal for all 52 African countries, except Libya and Somalia, the sector stands to be revitalized by the influx of international visitors.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the tourism sector is set to contribute Ksh 1.2TN to the economy in 2025. Among the most excited are young upwardly mobile Africans who have since clamored for ease of movement within Africa. With many thrilled about the prospect of being able to hop on a plane to spend the weekend in Kenya without the hassle of getting a visa. 

Big Business Loves It
Enterprises have begun leveraging the momentum. Kenya’s exporters of a wide variety of commodities from tea to cut flowers, now enjoy faster access to regional markets, solidifying the country’s status as Africa’s leading exporter of floriculture. Nairobi-based banks like Equity Group and KCB Bank are expanding, capitalizing on smoother regional movement for both staff and clientele.

The SME Advantage
In Nairobi’s Eastleigh district, cross-border traders quietly thrive. Somali, Ugandan, and South Sudanese shoppers fill stalls with goods ranging from electronics to fashion, injecting hard currency into local commerce.

Doors Open for Workers & Students
Students and academics are also set to be beneficiaries of the initaitive as intra-African conferences, exchange programmes, and research collaborations can proceed without the usual visa-processing delays. The same holds for urban labour markets, from construction to tech, the mobility of the regional workforce is forecast to accelerate economic activity. In agriculture, farmers near border towns may also see increased demand for produce as traders move goods without extra paperwork or delays, which will, in turn, positively affect the cost of some food items.

The Cracks in The Wall

The Reciprocity Problem
It may be too early to judge, but so far,Kenya’s openness isn’t being reciprocated, especially from Tanzania. Authorities there have banned non-citizens from engaging in some small businesses, a move they say is to protect local businesses, create jobs, and reduce competition in low-capital ventures. More recently, the Tanzanian government also introduced entry fees (around $100) for Kenyan businesspeople,

For many Kenyans, this feels like a direct snub to the spirit of reciprocity that underpins both the East African Community (EAC) and Kenya’s visa-free gesture. The backlash has been swift, Kenyans demanding that President Ruto do the same.

On X (formerly Twitter), frustration spilled over:

Mutiemule@mutiemule ‘’Kenya can do same since Kenya economy is much more bigger and Kenyans have a higher purchasing power.’’

Kaiser@austinmuller ‘’We should totally do the same and block Tanzanian citizens from small businesses and protect our local businesses. ‘’

This is a problem, what happens when one country opens its doors but its neighbor refuses to do the same? Tanzania insists its first duty is to its citizens, much like a parent ensuring their children are fed before offering food to the neighbor’s child. It’s a fair point, but for Kenya, how long can such generosity go unmatched?

Job Competition and Discontent
Kenya must develop strategies to handle the discontent that may arise with increased migrant participation in sectors like hospitality and informal trade. Concerns over wage gaps and overstretched services underscore the challenges of unchecked mobility, as well as that of cheaper labor, especially from smaller neighboring countries whose citizens are seeking greener pastures.

The Security Question

Perhaps the biggest concern is the security question, and even though there has been no linkage to the crime rate since the free visa policy. One can’t help but wonder what measures the Kenyan government will use to protect its borders and ensure that criminal elements do not take refuge in the country, as the country has been a target for terrorist attacks in the past.

State Department Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu offered some reassurance on this front: “We have a system in place to ensure that security checks are still ongoing… It is not an abandonment of border control, it is an opening of doors…”. This was in 2023, hopefully it still rings true today.

Kenya has already made security-based exclusions; travelers from Somalia and Libya are not covered by the visa waiver due to ongoing risks. Yet that exclusion raises another question: Does it imply that other countries pose no threats?

In response, the  EAC has been strengthening collaboration with border communities, aiming to enhance regional peace and security.

Xenophobia on the Horizon?

Thus far, Kenya has largely avoided overt xenophobic outbreaks, though subtle tensions persist, especially toward Somali communities, whose treatment soured further after Al-Shabaab–perpetrated attacks in the 2010s. Still, Kenya’s record remains considerably better than that of countries like South Africa, which has seen frequent periodic violent outbreaks against migrants and even countries like Ghana with growing hostility toward Nigerians.

Will Kenya be able to truly stay free from Xenophobia?

Dr. Linda Oucho, a migration specialist, warns: “Xenophobia and social exclusion have historically undermined Kenya’s cohesion, especially where large migrant inflows have not been matched with inclusive policies and livelihood support.”  Her insights highlight a risk where goodwill toward migrants could sour if communities feel neglected.

So where does that leave Kenya? Will stronger policy measures, such as public awareness campaigns or legal protections, be rolled out before tensions brew?

Lessons From Kenya

Kenya’s bold step toward a visa-free Africa offers valuable lessons for other countries considering similar policies. It shows both the promise and the pitfalls of open-door integration. Its successes are evident. Visa-free entry has boosted tourism, attracted investors and business delegations, and strengthened labor mobility and people-to-people ties across borders. This policy direction has had a material effect on Kenya’s prospects by positioning the country as a regional hub and sets the stage for economic growth.

Nevertheless, challenges persist. The lack of reciprocity from neighbors like Tanzania undermines the spirit of integration. Without mutual benefits, frustrations build up, leaving citizens to question whether their country is shouldering more of the burden. This imbalance risks fueling resentment instead of unity. To meet this challenge, Kenya must endeavour to match its openness with stronger systems, advanced border technologies, clear communication about benefits, and proactive laws to guard against xenophobia. Above all, deeper regional coordination is necessary to ensure the vision of borderless trade does not remain one-sided.

It is important to note that Kenya, as an East African nation, is only one part of a much larger puzzle. The key purpose of AfCFTA is to bring together the continent’s diverse regions, economies, and political realities. Kenya stand as a ptoneer in engineering the first steps towards this grand agenda. For AfCFTA to succeed, the rest of Africa must adapt this model to their own unique and specific contexts. Openness must go beyond goods and services, it must include the freedom of people to move, work, and build across the continent.

Kenya’s Big Bet on Africa’s Future

With the free visa policy, Kenya’s boldness has gone beyond the region, it reaches across the entire continent. As the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gains momentum, easing intra-Africa mobility becomes more than policy, it becomes strategic.

Experts point out that visa reform must be paired with efficient transport infrastructure and open skies. Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines dominate many African routes, but fragmented systems still force detours and inflate costs.

Still, Kenya’s visa-free policy sends a powerful message: integrated markets thrive when barriers fall. And Kenya is positioning itself as the AfCFTA launchpad for East Africa.

The vice chairman of the African and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) and managing director/CEO of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, emphasized that Nigeria is on an ambitious journey to grow its economy to a $1 trillion scale.

Jalo-Waziri made this statement during CSCS’s successful hosting of the AMEDA 2025 conference in Nigeria for the first time. The conference, themed ‘Shaping the Future: Financial Market Infrastructures as Catalysts for Transforming Economies’, gathered key financial market infrastructure operators, regulators, policymakers, and leaders from the private sector across Africa and the Middle East to discuss the future of capital markets and the role of financial market infrastructure in economic transformation.

He noted the significance of infrastructure in achieving Nigeria’s goals, stating, “our country is on a bold journey to grow its economy to a $1 trillion economy. This ambition is supported by a capital market that must evolve in scale, sophistication, and inclusiveness.”

Jalo-Waziri further explained that CSCS is proud to support this journey by investing in future-ready infrastructure, enhancing investor confidence, building systemic resilience, and collaborating with innovators throughout the financial services value chain.

The chairman of AMEDA, Abdulla Abdin underscored the critical role of financial market infrastructures in fostering inclusive and innovation-driven economies. He stated, “The theme of the conference reflects our deep awareness of the rapid transformations taking place in the global economy and the role financial market infrastructures play in enabling economies to adopt innovation and achieve inclusive growth.”

Vice President of Nigeria, Sen. Kashim Shettima, highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to market reform and economic stability. He noted, “our administration is devoted to strengthening Nigeria’s financial market infrastructures through a careful blend of regulation, reform, capital market development strategies, and robust public-private collaboration. This includes broadening participation in our capital markets, increasing access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups, and financing infrastructure through green bonds, social bonds, and sukuk.”

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Opeyemi George, reiterated the state’s dedication to enabling investment and economic growth.

The director-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama emphasized the essential role of capital markets. He stated, “we live in an era of accelerated transformation. Financial markets today are active agents of national development, regional integration, and global competitiveness.”

The chairman of the Board of CSCS, Temi Popoola remarked that “hosting AMEDA in Nigeria reflects the rising influence of our capital market within the region. This is not just a moment of pride for CSCS but a call to deepen our collaborative efforts in strengthening market infrastructure across borders.”

CSCS encouraged ongoing collaboration among financial market stakeholders across Africa and the Middle East, asserting, “together, we can build resilient infrastructures, foster inclusive growth, and unlock new frontiers of innovation and investment.”