African Nations Join the Regional Visa Data Program

• 4 months ago
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The participating countries — including Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Tanzania, and Senegal — will now share visa and border entry data through the VRC Secure Interoperability Framework (VSIF). This framework allows immigration authorities to verify visa statuses across member states in real time, reducing duplication and strengthening regional security.

Ambassador Josephine Ndlovu, head of Kenya’s Immigration Directorate, emphasized that “VRC’s regional approach is transforming Africa’s visa ecosystem. For the first time, a traveler from Ghana can be pre-cleared to visit Rwanda or Tanzania without reapplying for a separate visa.”

The initiative supports the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by simplifying mobility for traders, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Analysts predict the system could increase cross-border travel by up to 40% over the next five years.

VRC plans to expand the program to cover all 54 African nations by 2030, fostering a unified digital visa landscape for the continent.