https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00087439.html
Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, has implemented visa-free travel for all Africans into Rwanda. This decision makes Rwanda the fourth African country to introduce such, following Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin. Nonetheless, visa-free travel was put in place to boost tourism in the tourism sector of Rwanda. Additionally, the campaign partnered with football clubs, like Arsenal and Bayern Munich, promoting Rwanda as a tourist country. Likewise, Kenyan President, William Ruto, announced that Kenya would also end visa requirements by 2024 to boost trade with other countries. Kenya’s desire for the cease in visa requirement responds to the low rate of intra-African commerce. Yet, the AU launched its African passport in 2016 for all African citizens to be able to travel throughout the continent without visas. However, the passport is still not universally available.
Implementing free visa travel would reap great benefits for the AU. Like in the EU (European Union), free trade would allow for the flow of economics, boosting the IGO’s (Inter-governmental organization) members collectively. Along with free trade, the EU has a common currency, which if utilized in Africa by the AU, could further boost their economic situation. Historically being victims of colonialism, and now neo-colonialism, African countries are lagging in world affairs and economics. Therefore, if the AU were to model some of its policies based on the EU would enable a better economic system. Furthermore, with borders being poorly created proceeding colonization, allowing free-visa travel among Africans in Africa has the potential to aid in enabling peace amongst disputing countries.
At a regional level of analysis, countries such as Kenya and Rwanda choose to become visa-free travel countries for their economic benefits. Kenya seeks a boost in trade with other countries. Similarly, Rwanda wants to attract tourists and to be seen as a tourist country. The global level of analysis presents the AU and African countries as possible rising world players. African countries utilizing these economic campaigns show their drive for a foothold in the economics of the world and as a possible world player. Furthermore, as an IGO, the AU is a political and military IGO. The AU also promotes unity and economic prosperity in Africa, which directly correlates to their decision in 2014 to initiate visa-free travel.