Larry Madowo Criticises Nigeria Over Costly Visas Despite Kenya’s Visa-Free Policy

Larry Madowo Criticises Nigeria Over Costly Visas Despite Kenya’s Visa-Free Policy

Prominent Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo has sparked debate over travel reciprocity between African nations after criticising the cost of obtaining a visa to visit Nigeria, despite Kenya having adopted a visa-free policy for most African visitors.

Madowo, who currently works with CNN, raised the issue on social media on Monday, March 9, revealing that he was required to pay approximately KSh 10,332 (about 80 US dollars) to secure a Nigerian visa as a Kenyan passport holder.

His remarks quickly drew attention online, prompting discussions about the uneven travel arrangements between African countries and whether Kenya should introduce reciprocal policies for nations that still impose visa charges on Kenyan travellers.

In his post, the journalist pointed out what he described as an imbalance between Kenya’s immigration policy and the requirements Kenyans face when visiting Nigeria.

“Nigerians don’t need a visa to come to Kenya, but as a Kenyan passport holder I am still charged over KSh 10,000 (80 US dollars) for a single-entry visa,” Madowo wrote.

Kenya expanded its visa-free policy in July 2025 under the administration of William Ruto, allowing citizens from most African countries to enter Kenya without the need for traditional visa applications. The move was aimed at boosting tourism, trade and regional integration across the continent.

Under the policy, visitors from nearly all African nations can travel to Kenya without obtaining a visa beforehand, with only a few exceptions including nationals from Somalia and Libya.

However, Madowo noted that Kenya’s open-door approach has not necessarily been matched by other African states.

Beyond the visa cost itself, the journalist also questioned additional fees charged during the online application process.

According to his breakdown, the base visa fee is about KSh 3,200 (25 US dollars), but applicants must also pay approximately KSh 6,457 (50 US dollars) for online processing, as well as an additional KSh 645 (5 US dollars) service charge to the payment provider.

“The visa itself costs about $25, but applying online comes with extra charges that push the total to around $80,” he said, expressing frustration with the overall cost of the process.

Madowo also raised concerns about the type of visa typically issued to Kenyan travellers. According to his comments, applicants who request multiple-entry visas are often granted only single-entry permits, limiting their ability to travel frequently without reapplying.

The issue quickly triggered reactions from Kenyans online, with some calling on the government to adopt reciprocal visa policies against countries that continue to charge Kenyan citizens for entry.

Others argued that while Kenya’s visa-free policy promotes continental integration, it may place Kenyan travellers at a disadvantage when other countries maintain stricter entry requirements.

Nigeria’s visa policy currently requires visitors from most countries to obtain visas before travelling, with notable exceptions.

Citizens of member states of the Economic Community of West African States are allowed to enter Nigeria without visas due to regional agreements that promote free movement across West Africa.

Outside the ECOWAS bloc, only a small number of African countries enjoy visa-free entry into Nigeria, including Angola and Ethiopia.\

Analysts say the controversy highlights broader challenges facing Africa’s push for seamless travel across the continent. While several governments have begun easing visa restrictions, policies remain inconsistent across regions.

Efforts such as the African Union’s push for greater mobility and integration have long emphasised the need for simplified visa systems to facilitate trade, tourism and cultural exchange.

For now, the discussion sparked by Madowo’s remarks has revived a familiar debate over whether African countries should move toward fully reciprocal visa policies—or accelerate efforts to eliminate travel barriers across the continent altogether.

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Larry Madowo Criticises Nigeria Over Costly Visas Despite Kenya’s Visa-Free Policy