Kenya lifts visa requirement for Angolan visitors

The high-level meeting between President William Ruto and Angolan President João Lourenço has paved the way for a significant breakthrough in the diplomatic relationship between Kenya and Angola. With the decision to waive visa requirements for Angolan travelers, the two nations are poised to foster seamless travel and promote cultural exchange. President Ruto expressed his optimism, stating, "Our brothers and sisters in Angola after the signing of the instrument today, all of them with passports, will now need no Visa to come to Kenya. And I'm happy that Angola will equally consider the same when they go back home."

In a bid to accelerate economic growth, President Ruto has also committed to fast-tracking discussions to reintroduce direct flights between Kenya and Angola, a move expected to bolster trade ties and create new avenues for collaboration and prosperity. President Ruto emphasized the significance of this step, stating, "We have discussed to expedite and conclude discussions on the resumption of direct flights between Kenya and Angola as a mechanism of boosting the movement of people, movement of goods, movement of services as a way of escalating our trade numbers which have improved significantly over the last four years."

President Ruto's proactive stance underscores Kenya's warm reception of Angolan visitors, underlining the nation's steadfast dedication to strengthening the bond of friendship between the two countries. This landmark decision is anticipated to yield mutual benefits, including an upsurge in tourism, expanded trade opportunities, and a vibrant exchange of cultural influences. Aligned in purpose, both President Ruto and President João Lourenço are committed to fortifying the alliance between Kenya and Angola, laying the groundwork for a thriving future built on shared values, harmonious collaboration, and collective prosperity. The two leaders signed 11 bilateral agreements expected to bolster trade between the two nations.