Having visa restrictions among ourselves is working against us, he told an international conference.

Over the past decade, the African Union (AU) has worked toward visa-free travel within the continent.

Despite regional deals and bilateral agreements, progress towards no restrictions has been slow.

African citizens can only enter Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin without a visa, according to a 2022 AU report.

According to Africa’s Visa Openness Index, which measures how open African countries are to visitors from other African countries, most countries are simplifying entry processes and easing restrictions.

Out of 54 states, Kenya ranked 31st in 2022.

It was bad for business, Ruto told an audience in Congo-Brazzaville.

When people cannot travel, businesspeople cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all lose.

‘By the end of this year, no African will need a visa to enter Kenya,’ he declared to loud cheers from the conference delegates.

The children of this continent should not be locked in borders in both Europe and Africa.”