Kenya, Benin ink agreement allowing six months visa-free visits

Kenyans and citizens of Benin will soon enjoy visa-free travel between the two nations following the signing of a new bilateral agreement.

The deal, concluded on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, was inked by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi and Benin’s Foreign Affairs Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari.

The agreement allows nationals of both countries to visit each other for up to 180 days without a visa, though it does not permit employment during the stay.

After six months, travellers will be required to apply for visas in line with the immigration rules of the host country.

The waiver, however, excludes those on diplomatic or consular postings. Holders of diplomatic, official, service, or ordinary passports assigned to such duties, along with their dependents, will still be required to secure visas before entering the other country.

Bakari welcomed the pact, describing it as a bold step in Africa’s quest for integration.

“I want to appreciate you (Mudavadi) and commend President Ruto on the move. The waiver means that we are integrating the citizens of Africa and helping our youth take advantage of opportunities in Africa. It is a strong message,” he said.

Following the signing, Mudavadi held separate talks with Yvan Gil Pinto, Venezuela’s Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs.

Pinto emphasised Venezuela’s desire to deepen ties with Africa, pointing out that more than half of its population has African roots.

“Fifty-seven per cent of our population is African. The late President Hugo Chávez always told us to be strategic with Africa because it is the future. We want to make progress and sign the pending agreements between the two countries,” Pinto noted.

He explained that the pending deals cover tourism, agriculture, and education, stressing that Venezuela is eager to move forward on all fronts. Mudavadi responded by pledging to push for progress during upcoming engagements in Brazil and Nairobi.

“We can use this opportunity to sign one or two Memorandums of Understanding,” he said, adding that Kenya continues to uphold multilateralism and respect for the United Nations (UN).

Pinto also touched on Venezuela’s strained relations with the United States (US), linking them to allegations of drug trafficking. “The fight against drug trafficking should be within the confines of the law,” he remarked.

Kenya’s growing embrace of visa-free travel mirrors President William Ruto’s move in January 2024 to make the country open to all visitors. That policy was aimed at stimulating tourism and business, with travellers now required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) costing Sh4,600 ($30).

"We want to make Kenya a global tourist and business destination, and this step is part of our broader strategy to open up the country," Ruto said at the time.

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• Benin ink agreement allowing six months visa-free visits

Despite these reforms, Kenya’s passport has slipped in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, ranking 70th with access to 70 destinations without prior visas, a drop from 76 last year.

This places it alongside The Gambia, though it still holds the top spot in East Africa, ahead of Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.

In 2024, Kenya had risen to 67th in the rankings after a steady improvement, but the latest index reflects a decline. Tanzania now shares the 70th position with Kenya, offering equal visa-free access. Uganda follows at 72nd with 67 destinations, while Rwanda sits at 75th with 63.

Ruto has maintained that Kenya’s visa reforms are designed to advance integration and attract global visitors, even as the rankings show mixed results.