Russia is set to extend visa-free travel to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Eswatini, a strategic move designed to boost tourism, strengthen diplomatic and economic ties in southern Africa, and capitalise on the barriers created by U.S. visa restrictions.

The initiative comes as Moscow seeks to deepen its influence on the continent while pre-empting a potential U.S. resurgence in the region.

The announcement was made by Sangadzhi Tarbaev, head of the State Duma’s tourism committee, who said negotiations are underway to add the four southern African nations to Russia’s growing list of visa-free partners on the continent.

“Africa, with the exception of Egypt, is not a mass destination, but it does attract tourists,” Tarbaev said, as quoted by Russian media.

He noted that interest in African travel among Russians has been gradually increasing, driven by a shift away from traditional European destinations and by stronger political and economic ties with non-Western partners.

Existing Visa-Free Agreements in Africa

Russia already maintains visa-free arrangements with a number of African countries as part of a broader strategy to diversify its international connections beyond Europe and parts of Asia, particularly as its influence in the Americas, especially in parts of Central and South America, has declined.

Eleven African states currently enjoy reciprocal visa-free travel with Russia, including Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde, Mauritius, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Tunisia, and South Africa, according to Tatyana Dovgalenko, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department for Partnership with Africa.

“Introducing visa-free travel with the majority of African countries could help develop tourism,” Dovgalenko said at a Russian State Duma roundtable on tourism and cultural exchanges between Russia and Africa.

“We are conducting further work with other countries and hope that this list will expand in the near term. Another aspect is the signing of corresponding agreements on tourism and memoranda. We are working on such agreements with several countries and hope to sign them soon.”

While these measures aim to reduce overstays, critics say they create a significant financial barrier for citizens of affected countries.

Although some African nations have introduced reciprocal rules for American visitors, the Russian visa-free initiative is seen as a way to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties in southern Africa, while also encouraging tourism and business exchanges.

The potential inclusion of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Eswatini would expand Russia’s footprint in the region, rich in wildlife tourism, natural attractions, and cultural heritage, but still underrepresented in Russian outbound travel compared with North Africa.

Visa-free travel is seen as a key step to facilitate people-to-people exchanges, business cooperation, and broader diplomatic engagement, while also allowing Russia to assert influence in the region amid limited French involvement and a restrained U.S. presence. (Business Insider Africa)

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