Tanzania beats Kenya in Visa Openness ranking. Rwanda leads in East Africa, followed by Burundi and Somalia
When it comes to Visa Openness ranking for East African countries, Rwanda takes the first position ranking at Number One on the continent with an overall score of 1.00, likewise topping the bill within the East African Community.
According to the 2024 Africa Visa Openness index (AVOI), Burundi should be second among the eight East African Community (EAC) member states ranking at 11 with a score of 0.823.
Visa openness, according to AVOI, refers to the ease with which visitors are authorized to enter their country of destination.
The Africa Visa Openness Index is run by the African Development Bank (AfDB) with support from the African Union (AU).
Somalia ranks at 17 on the continent as far as Visa Openness is concerned and takes the third position in East Africa with an overall score of 0.785.
Tanzania is ranked at 20 in Africa with a score of 0.706 taking the fourth position in East Africa.
A more visa-open country has a liberal or relaxed visa policy for visitors, meaning that visitors either do not need a visa to enter its territory or can obtain a visa upon arrival.
Uganda takes the 26th Ranking in Africa with a score of 0.396 therefore being placed in the fifth position as far as the East African region is concerned.
Kenya however dropped in the latest ranking from number 17 last year down to 46 this year, despite introducing a ‘visa-free policy’ recently. The country has an overall score of 0.113 taking the sixth position in East Africa.
Nairobi dropped from top to bottom due to Kenya’s requirement for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) which filters travellers who are eligible to enter the country. However, residents travelling from the EAC member states are exempted from this process.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, on the other hand, is ranked at 45 on the continent with a score of 0.121, therefore getting placed at number seven in the East African Community.
Tagging last in the EAC region is South Sudan which is ranked at 50 on the continent with a measly score of 0.087. This is according to data compiled by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Rwanda, the continent’s best performer, offers visa free access to all Africans. Other countries with similar arrangements are Benin, The Gambia and Seychelles.
A more visa-restrictive country requires visitors to obtain a visa before they travel. Visitors might obtain the visa from an embassy, a consulate, or another source.
In 2024, 26 African countries — 44 percent of the continent — offered an Electronic Visa (eVisa) for Africans, up from nine African countries — 17 percent of the continent — in 2016.
The situation in which African citizens no longer need a visa to cross the border, has reached 28 percent, a marked improvement over 20 percent in 2016.