Uganda proposes single African tourist visa to boost travel

Uganda is advocating for the implementation of a single African tourist visa to facilitate easier travel across the continent. Speaking at the International & French Travel Market in Paris, Minister of State for Tourism Susan Nakawuki proposed that a unified travel document would allow visitors to move between North, West, East, and Southern Africa without facing multiple visa requirements.

Nakawuki emphasized that such a move would encourage tourists to stay longer and spend more across various destinations, rather than viewing African nations as competitors. She also noted that high air travel costs within the continent remain a significant barrier to tourism growth.

In tandem with these diplomatic efforts, Uganda is actively targeting the French market to boost its tourism sector. During the trade exhibition in Paris, Ugandan officials promoted the country’s diverse offerings, including mountain gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris. Data shared by the delegation indicated that Uganda received over 1.6 million international visitors in 2025, a 19.7 percent increase from the previous year, generating US$1.62 billion in revenue.