Kenya is to end visa requirements to all African visitors by the end of the year, President William Ruto has said.

“It is time we… realise that having visa restrictions amongst ourselves is working against us,” he told an international conference.

“When people cannot travel, business people cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all become net losers.

“Let me say this: As Kenya, by the end of this year, no African will be required to have a visa to come to Kenya,” he said to loud cheers from the conference delegates.

“Our children form this continent should not be locked in borders in Europe and also be locked in borders in Africa.”

Visa-free travel within the continent has been a goal of the African Union (AU) for the past decade.

While there are regional deals and bilateral arrangements, progress towards no restrictions has been slow.

Only Seychelles, The Gambia and Benin offer entry to all African citizens without a visa, according to a 2022 AU-backed report.

(BBC)