NAIROBI, (HAN) – President William Ruto of Kenya has announced the establishment of a visa-free travel arrangement between Kenya and Senegal, allowing citizens of both nations to visit each other for up to 90 days without a visa.
The historic agreement was officially signed on Tuesday during the state visit of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to Nairobi. Both leaders described the deal as a significant step toward strengthening Pan-African cooperation, boosting trade, and deepening diplomatic relations between East and West Africa.
President Ruto hailed the pact as a reflection of the “new African spirit of unity and integration,” emphasizing that visa restrictions should not hinder economic and cultural collaboration among African nations.
“This is not just about travel—it is about opening doors for our people, our businesses, and our shared future,” Ruto said during a joint press conference at State House, Nairobi.
President Faye, making his first official visit to Kenya since assuming office, echoed Ruto’s remarks, calling for closer ties among African countries to achieve continental freedom, mobility, and prosperity.
“The liberation of Africa in the 21st century means freedom of movement, freedom of trade, and freedom of opportunity,” Faye stated.
Political and economic analysts say the Kenya–Senegal visa-free pact could serve as a model for other African nations, inspiring similar initiatives that would accelerate the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and enhance people-to-people exchange across the continent.
Beyond its diplomatic implications, the agreement symbolizes a renewed vision of African liberation. For decades, restrictive borders have constrained the movement of Africans within their own continent—despite shared history, culture, and aspirations.
Today, true liberation is not only political, but also economic and social: the right of Africans to move, trade, study, and work freely across the continent. The Kenya–Senegal agreement embodies this modern spirit of independence—Africans connecting with Africans.
This milestone underscores that the unity and liberation of Africa are no longer distant dreams, but living realities being forged through cooperation, trust, and shared progress.
