Angolan nationals have become the latest citizens of a foreign country who can travel to Kenya without the need to apply for a visa. This follows the signing of a visa-free travel agreement between President William Ruto and Angolan President João Lourenço during his visit to Kenya last week.

Since taking over from Uhuru Kenyatta, President Ruto has entered into several visa-free deals with many countries. In November 2022, Dr Ruto signed his first visa-free deal with South Africa. Later this year, in June 2023, he signed another visa-free deal with Djibouti.

In July, Comoros and Senegal nationals were given similar treatment, as well as Indonesian citizens who started enjoying similar treatment in August 2023. Citizens from oil-rich Angola are now the latest to join Kenya's visa-free travel club. President Lourenço did not endorse similar treatment for Kenyans seeking to travel to Luanda. Angola is rich in natural resources, with oil contributing about 45 percent to the GDP and 90 percent of the central African country's exports.

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Kenya and Angola trade relations

Other MOUs signed in Nairobi between Kenya and Angola touch on telecommunications and ICT, oil and gas, mining and geology, health collaboration, capacity building of the public service, and cooperation of our respective diplomatic academies. "These frameworks will help unlock the potential of our commercial and trade relations," noted Dr. Ruto.

The move by President William Ruto to issue free visa travelling is set to enhance intact foreign relations. It is seen that Kenya is creating a good rapport, especially with the African nations. This is because it has allowed these countries to kick their ball into its playground, and this is set to benefit both parties. This trend is set to be emulated by other neighbouring countries.

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