NEW YORK — Kenya and Benin have signed a landmark agreement to allow visa-free travel between the two countries, part of a wider push to ease movement across Africa.
The deal was finalised on Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly by Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi and his Beninese counterpart, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari.
From next month, citizens of both countries will be able to travel visa-free for up to 180 days. The waiver, however, does not grant the right to work. After six months, visitors will need to comply with local immigration rules.
Mr. Bakari welcomed the pact as a meaningful step towards continental unity. “The waiver means that we are integrating the citizens of Africa and helping our youth take advantage of opportunities in Africa,” he said. “It is a strong message.”
President William Ruto has repeatedly said no African should need a visa to enter Kenya. Nairobi has used forums such as the African Union and now the UN to promote that vision.
The agreement includes exceptions: diplomats and consular staff, along with their families, will still be required to apply for visas before taking up postings.
After the signing, Mr. Mudavadi held talks with Venezuela’s foreign minister, Yvan Gil Pinto. The Venezuelan official highlighted historic ties between Africa and his country, pointing out that “57 percent of our population is African.” He said Caracas was eager to fast-track pending agreements with Kenya on tourism, agriculture and education.
“The late President Hugo Chávez always told us to be strategic with Africa because it is the future,” Mr. Pinto said.
Mr. Mudavadi responded by pledging to move discussions forward during upcoming meetings in Brazil and Nairobi. “We can use this opportunity to sign one or two Memorandums of Understanding,” he said, reaffirming Kenya’s support for multilateral diplomacy.
Mr. Pinto also touched on Venezuela’s strained relationship with Washington, insisting that disputes over drug trafficking must be handled within the rule of law.
For Kenya, the deal with Benin underscores its bid to position itself as a leader in continental integration. For Benin, it signals growing interest in deepening ties beyond West Africa. Whether other nations follow suit may determine how quickly the African Union’s dream of free movement becomes reality.
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