In our monthly Immigration News from Africa, we update you on important changes in African Immigration.
This edition covers news in the following countries:
- South Africa
- Nigeria
- Kenya
- Namibia
- Mozambique
South Africa
Department of Home Affairs Backlog
As revealed during a written parliamentary Q&A session, the Department of Home Affairs is currently sitting with a backlog of over 56 000 applications and estimates it will only be cleared by the middle of 2024.
The Department of Home Affairs is not meeting its executive task to administer the immigration act and isn’t contributing in any positive way to the economic growth so many desperate South Africans need.
Nigeria
Covid Tests No Longer Required
As of Monday 12 December 2022, Nigeria has announced that covid tests are no longer required for inbound travellers.
Nigeria still urges travellers over the age of 60, or with comorbidities, to mask up, but it will no longer be a requirement for the travellers.
Kenya
Visa-Free System for South Africa in the Works
From January 2023, Kenyans will no longer require a visa to visit South Africa, and vice versa. This follows the first trip taken by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to meet the newly appointed Kenyan President William Ruto.
Trade barriers were also discussed during their meeting, with both presidents agreeing that as two of the economically strongest countries, working together is ideal.
Namibia
A new policy suggestion in Namibia welcomes Africans who want citizenship and to invest with open arms. The policy is currently being drafted and is on track to be ready for cabinet approval in time for the new financial year.
During a conversation between the Namibian Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and former African Union representative to the United States, Arikana Chihombori-Quao, it was revealed that Africans in the diaspora will be offered Namibian citizenship and welcomed to Africa with open arms.
Mozambique
Migration Mozambique Goes Online
The Mozambican President has officially launched the evisa.gov.mz platform. It will assist with pre-approval of certain visas, and ease the application process.
This is great news for tourists wishing to experience kilometres of beaches and beautiful scenery, and business officials looking for an opportunity in one of Africa’s growing economies.
The Mozambiquan government hopes that these positive changes to their immigration system will bring more tourism and economic growth to the country.
Written by Simon Carletti
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