Rwanda has announced plans to scrap visa fees for citizens of over 90 countries as it makes efforts to boost trade.
When this policy is implemented citizens of the Commonwealth, the African Union and La Francophonie member countries will benefit.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame told a gathering at the International School for Government at King’s College in London that his country wants to continue to transform and trade with the rest of the world.
He said “We are soon considering exempting citizens of the Commonwealth, as well as the African Union and the Francophonie, from paying visa fees when entering Rwanda.”
Scrapping visa fees for Commonwealth nations of 53 membership and Francophonie of 54 member states could open up Rwanda to world.
Kagame said Rwanda’s policies should pay of as it positions itself as an investment destination.
He said the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) this year shows how prepared Africa is to deepen regional integration.
“African Continental Free Trade Area demonstrates to investors that there is solid political will in Africa for a deeper regional integration agenda.
We have good reason to take advantage of these developments and work more closely together,” he said.
Rwanda is set to host the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in June this year.