Kenya has become the latest country in Africa to relax its visa requirements for Nigerians and most other countries on the continent and the Caribbean. With this new development, Africans can visit the country without needing to have a visa or prior authorization.
Before now, Africans were required to have an online authorization in a visa-free policy introduced by the country in 2024. However, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) was not popular with visitors. Its aftermath saw the ranking of Kenya on being open to visitors dropping to become one of the worst in Africa, dropping 17 spots to 46th out of 54 nations.
What the new immigration law entails
With the new immigration law as announced by the Kenyan Cabinet, Citizens from all countries on the continent, except for Libya and Somalia, will only need to have their national passports to visit. The two countries excluded on the continent are on the grounds of security.
The move is to promote open skies poplicies, promote regional integration and for the purpose to tourism. Other reasns are to ease travel across the African continent.
In the recent past, other countries on the continent have tried to replicate the effort of the West African region in making travel for member states easy and without needing any visa. Going beyond the region, Ghana also opened its borders to all african nations earlier in 2025 to visit without needing a visa, just as Rwanda.
See Also: Visa-Free Countries for Nigerian Passport Holders
For how long can you stay in Kenya without a visa?
As a nigerian or African visiting Kenya without a visa, based on the new immigration policy, you will only be allowed to stay in the country for up to two months. If you wish to stay longer, you may need to obtain a visa.
For members of East African Community which is made up of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, they are allowed in the country for up to 6 month before they can require a visa.
