EAC plans joint visa for AFCON 2027 fans

Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda are developing a joint visa arrangement to ease cross-border travel for football fans during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), in a move expected to support regional tourism and business. East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers chairperson Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga announced the initiative during an inspection of the Arusha Pamoja AFCON Stadium by members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). Ms Kadaga, who is also Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, said the three host countries were working on a special visa arrangement to facilitate the movement of supporters between them during the tournament. The proposed framework could enable fans to attend matches in different countries while visiting tourist attractions, creating opportunities for hotels, tour operators, transport providers and other service businesses. However, the benefits will depend on the final visa arrangements and how effectively they are implemented at border points. The initiative comes as Tanzania steps up preparations for the tournament, with construction of the Arusha Pamoja AFCON Stadium reported to have reached 95 per cent completion during the EALA delegation’s inspection. The delegation received a briefing from the engineering team overseeing the project before touring the facility. Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Minister Paul Makonda previously said the stadium was designed to accommodate approximately 32,500 spectators. The facility is being constructed by China Railway Construction Engineering Group at a reported cost of $112 million. AFCON 2027 will be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda under the Pamoja banner, marking the first time the continental football tournament will be staged across three countries. The competition is scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027. EALA member Abdullah Makame said the proposed joint visa could help link the three countries’ tourism markets, although its effectiveness would depend on the final rules and their consistent implementation at border points.