Ethiopia Opens its Borders to Africa

All African travellers will now be able to visit Ethiopia with a Visa on Arrival.

The time has come for the world to witness a united Africa. And the nation leading this initiative is Africa’s second most populous and one of its fastest-growing economies, Ethiopia. Effective from November 1, 2018, Ethiopia has launched a visa-on-arrival (VoA) service for all African travellers.

Dominating Africa’s airspace, the CEO of the state carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, believes this move will greatly boost cross-border tourism, trade and investment, further deepening African integration.

“It is truly an honour and a special privilege to witness this historic and truly inspirational day,” said the CEO of the Ethiopian Airlines Group, Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam. “Ethiopian Airlines has been bringing Africa together and closer to the world for over seven decades. Today, Ethiopian Airlines flies to 60 African destinations and connects the continent to over 50 major international cities in 5 continents.”

This initiative follows the decision made in June by new Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, to start issuing an online e-visa service for tourists and visitors coming from all over the world. Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, is one of the world’s largest diplomatic hubs, hosting the seat of the African Union, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and dozens of foreign embassies. There is no doubt, that the decision to relax the visa regime also places the nation’s hospitality and conference tourism sectors at an advantage.

As part of the continental free trade agreement, the African Union also hopes to establish the free movement of people and businesses across the continent by 2023. Over the past few years, countries including Kenya, Rwanda, and Mauritius have all eased visa regulations for other African travellers. Coupled with this recent initiative in Ethiopia, perhaps will other African states will be encouraged to follow suit and together will constitute a United Africa.

Visit The Passport Index, for the full list of countries allowed to visit Ethiopia with a VoA at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for a maximum stay of 3 months.