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- waiving off visa fees the Commonwealth, as well as the African Union and La Francophonie member countries
- increased ease of access will transform Rwanda into a preferred destination for global conferences.
Addressing the International School for Government at King’s College in London, Rwandan President Paul Kagame stated that his country was contemplating waiving off visa fees for citizens of the Commonwealth, as well as the African Union and La Francophonie member countries to enter Rwanda. The President was speaking about Rwanda’s transformation journey.
The move is expected to ease access to Rwanda for the 53members of Commonwealth and the 54 Francophonie has 54 member states across the world. Currently, only 17 African countries are exempt from paying visa fees. About 95 countries are set to benefit from the initiative. Political experts are of the view that the increased ease of access will transform Rwanda into a preferred destination for global conferences. At the same time, it will also grant Rwandans easy access to beneficiary countries in the event of reciprocity. The announcement has come when Rwanda is set to host the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in June this year.
Welcoming the positive momentum in terms of the relationship between the United Kingdom and Africa, Kagame added that the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will further boost the UK- Africa economic ties. Speaking about Rwanda’s successful transformation over the years, Kagame said that urgency, unity, and self-reliance were the three pillars that propelled the process. “. The most important part was for citizens themselves to be part of the process ensuring that they benefit from public policy,” he said.
