Kenya abolishes visa restrictions for Angolan nationals

President William Ruto (right) with his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenco (left) at Stae House, Nairobi on October 21, 2023. [PCS]

Angolan citizens with the intent to visit Kenya will no longer be required to apply for a visa.

This was announced by President William Ruto during a joint briefing at State House, Nairobi on Saturday, October 21, with Angola President Joao Lourenco.

Ruto said the abolishment is among the eleven (11) Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) he has signed with Angola.

According to Ruto, the move will unlock the potential of the two countries' commerce and people-to-people interactions.

"Our brothers and sisters in Angola will no longer need visas to come to Kenya," said Ruto.

Angola however was unclear on the decision to lift visa restrictions for Kenyans who want to travel to the country.

Lourenco promised to consider the decision once he returns to Luanda, from his two-day State visit to Kenya.

"Upon my return to Angola, I have assured President Ruto that we will carefully consider removing the visa restrictions for the people of Kenya," said Lourenco.

The two Heads of State have also agreed to discuss the resumption of direct flights between Kenya and Angola. They will work on an airline allowing planes to fly directly from Nairobi to Luanda, the capital city of Angola, and vice versa.

According to Lourenco, the trade exchange with Kenya will open the way for trade growth between East Africa and Southern Africa.

Among the 11 MoUs signed between Kenya and Angola include ICT, telecommunications, wildlife management, and conservation where the two countries will be involved in wildlife species exchange, shipping and maritime cooperation, youth development, Forestry cooperation, health and public service capacity development.

This bilateral agreement between Kenya and Angola is the first to be made between the two countries and the first in the southern region.