Ethiopia PM hints of visa-free entry for all Africans
ETHIOPIAN Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, during a state banquet for Paul Kagame last Friday, said “The President invited all Africans to travel to Rwanda without visas, we will follow you very soon,”
The idea as and when it is implemented will further open up Ethiopia to African visitors and help boost the country’s tourism potential and in the long run its economy.
Ethiopia boasts the continent’s best national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, which has made the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, not just a regional but global aviation hub.
For a country that is widely seen as not open in respect of visa acquisition, the disclosure by the PM has been received with different reaction especially on social media. Ethiopia’s tourism agency has long branded the country as “Land of Origins.”
Kagame arrived in Ethiopia on Thursday evening for a three-day official visit. He was the first African leader to undertake an official visit to Addis Ababa since Abiy took office on April 2.
Abiy hailed his guest as not only leading his country but the entire continent in ways that were revolutionary. Kagame is currently the President of the African Union (A.U.) – a yearlong role that revolves among African leaders.
“President Kagame is not only the President of Rwanda but he is also leading the continent in great, wise and miraculous ways of transforming the conti- nent and economic integration, as well as realising the vision of our forefathers,” Abiy added.
Starting January 1, 2018, Rwanda announced a global visa free entry for travelers from everywhere in the world.
A communique released by the Directorate of Immigration and Emigration said citizens of all countries the world over could enjoy 30 days visa on arrival under the regime. With some entrants required paying a fee where applicable.
Rwanda already had such a system in place for all African countries and a number of countries outside the continent. The country is reputed as one of the most open in visa openness index publications.