Wayne Lumbasi
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are moving closer to introducing a single visa for visitors attending the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a move expected to transform travel across East Africa during the continent’s biggest football tournament.
The proposal would allow football fans, participating teams, match officials, media personnel and tourists to travel freely between the three host nations using one visa valid for up to four months. If approved, the arrangement would eliminate the need for multiple visa applications and make it easier for visitors to attend matches hosted across the three countries.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has thrown his support behind the initiative, describing it as a practical step that would strengthen regional cooperation and improve the tournament experience. He has directed Ugandan officials to begin discussions with their counterparts in Kenya and Tanzania to explore how the proposal can be implemented before the competition kicks off in 2027.
The three East African nations won the rights to jointly host AFCON 2027 under the “Pamoja”—Swahili for “Together”—bid, marking the first time the prestigious tournament will be staged across three countries in the region. The joint hosting arrangement is expected to showcase East Africa’s growing capacity to organize major international sporting events while promoting economic cooperation.
Tourism stakeholders have welcomed the proposed unified visa, saying it could significantly boost visitor numbers and encourage tourists to explore multiple destinations across the region. Hotels, airlines, transport operators, restaurants and local businesses are also expected to benefit from increased cross-border travel as thousands of supporters move between host cities during the month-long championship.
The proposal also aligns with broader efforts to deepen East African integration by making movement across borders easier for visitors. Supporters say the initiative could leave a lasting legacy beyond football by strengthening tourism partnerships and demonstrating the benefits of closer regional cooperation.
Preparations for AFCON 2027 are already underway, with Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania investing in stadium upgrades, transport infrastructure and hospitality facilities to meet the standards required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Governments in the three countries have pledged to work closely together to ensure the tournament is successfully delivered.
While the common visa has received strong political backing, it has not yet been formally adopted. Officials from the three governments are expected to continue consultations before a final agreement is reached.
If approved, the single visa would become one of the most significant innovations of AFCON 2027, providing a seamless travel experience for visitors while reinforcing East Africa’s vision of greater regional integration through sport.
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