•Ruto said Kenya as a country is in full support of the establishment of the ACFTA which seeks to create a borderless market for African entrepreneurs and businesses
•In October, Ruto announced that Africans intending to travel to Kenya in 2024 will no longer need visas
Image: PCS
President William Ruto on Saturday maintained that Africa should be abolish visa requirements for its population.
Speaking during the Youth Connekt Africa Summit at KICC, Ruto said the visa requirements were brought about by European nations which have since abandoned them.
He explained that Kenya as a country is in full support of the establishment of the African continental Free Trade Area which seeks to create a borderless market for African entrepreneurs and businesses.
“I am very persuaded and we all know what borderless countries have done, the people who taught us about visas because we didn’t have visas, our good brothers from Europe came and taught us about visas and I addressed the European parliament a few weeks ago,” Ruto said.
The Head of State revealed that the European Parliament said that despite Europe having a population of 450 million people, they have abolished visas in 27 countries today, they are borderless
“Explain to me why we should continue having visas in our continent when those who taught us about visas have abandoned them," Ruto added.
By abolishing Visa requirements, the President said will further boost economic integration on the continent.
Ruto noted that Kenya was the first country to deposit instruments of ratification of the ACFTA and has been its greatest champion with the belief that there is a need to eliminate processes of visa requirements for African countries the continent strive to ensure the attainment of borderless commerce.
In October, Ruto announced that Africans intending to travel to Kenya in 2024 will no longer need visas.
Ruto announced while making a keynote address at the Three Basins Climate Change Conference in Brazzaville, Congo.
"By the end of this year, no African will need a visa to enter Kenya. The time has come to understand the importance of doing trade between us," he said.
The Head of State said the move is aimed at boosting trade with African countries.
President Ruto stated that the low rate of intra-African trade and urged to reduce customs tariffs within the African continent to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
"It is time we realize the importance of trading among ourselves and allowing goods, services, people and ideas to move freely across the continent," he explained.
Ruto highlighted that trade among East African Community countries had grown significantly due to the removal of visa requirements and tariffs.