Kenya and Senegal have signed a bilateral agreement allowing citizens of both countries to travel, stay, or transit for up to 90 days without a visa.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday at State House, Nairobi, during President William Ruto’s meeting with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The arrangement applies to holders of both diplomatic and ordinary passports and is expected to promote travel, trade, and cultural exchange between the two nations.
“We recognise the foundations that already exist between our two nations and are pleased to announce the conclusion of a new Visa Waiver Agreement that allows citizens of both countries visa-free travel for up to 90 days,” said President Ruto.
He said the two countries will use the Joint Cooperation Commission (JCC) to monitor and expand areas of collaboration, adding that Kenya will host the first JCC session in the second half of 2026.
“Through the JCC, we will strengthen cooperation in several sectors that are mutually beneficial to our two nations. We will engage and seek to conclude new instruments that will expand our bilateral cooperation,” Ruto said.
The two leaders also discussed trade and economic ties, noting that trade volumes between the two countries remain low.
“We noted that trade volumes between Kenya and Senegal remain low. To address this, we commit to working together to remove barriers, enhance transport and digital infrastructure, harmonise standards and promote business-to-business engagements,” Ruto stated.
They reaffirmed their commitment to Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to enhance industrialisation and economic integration across the continent.
On peace and security, the leaders agreed to work together to address regional conflicts through inclusive strategies that promote stability and socio-economic development.
Ruto and Faye also discussed reforms within the African Union and pledged to continue supporting efforts to make the AU more effective in driving Africa’s development agenda.
The two presidents further committed to strengthening cooperation at the multilateral level, supporting each other’s positions in international forums, and advancing shared priorities such as climate action, sustainable development, and global governance reform.
