Kenya is not slowing down in its efforts to ramp up its tourism numbers. Since the beginning of the year, the East African country has introduced several initiatives aimed at boosting visitor numbers. Among the most popular is the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), allowing visitors from around the world to travel to Kenya with greater ease.
During the opening of this year’s Magical Kenya Travel Expo, President William Ruto announced the introduction of the Transit ETA, which permits passengers in transit to step out of the airport terminals and explore the country as much as their layover allows.
In addition to this, the government has rolled out the Digital Nomad Work Permit. In his speech, President Ruto emphasized the permit’s significance, stating that it is “specifically designed to welcome global digital professionals, allowing them to live and work in Kenya while enjoying the country’s natural beauty and high-quality lifestyle.”
Who Are Digital Nomads?
Digital nomads are remote workers who choose to live a nomadic lifestyle, often moving from one location to another while staying digitally connected. They use technology and communication tools to work remotely, enabling them to travel both domestically and internationally. This new frontier of travelers relies heavily on digital infrastructure, making it essential for host countries to provide robust connectivity to accommodate them wherever they go.
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the global digital workforce is expected to reach over 50 million by 2025, marking a substantial opportunity for countries like Kenya to attract these professionals.
Bold Vision for the Digital Nomad Market
With the introduction of the Digital Nomad Work Permit, Kenya is determined to tap into this growing market. “As a country, we believe that we are ahead of the curve in terms of capturing the workforce of the future,” said June Chepkemei, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), during a media interaction at the 2024 Magical Kenya Travel Expo.
Last year, Kenya welcomed 2 million visitors, and the country aims to increase that figure by 25% by the end of 2024, with projections reaching 5 million visitors by 2027.
Chepkemei is confident that initiatives like the Transit ETA and the Digital Nomad Work Permit are critical to achieving these ambitious targets, further supported by the government’s continuous investment in ICT infrastructure.
“Kenya is touted as the Silicon Savannah. The government has invested heavily in ICT infrastructure, particularly in fibre connectivity, ensuring access to every part of the country. This means that every corner of the country is essentially a hotspot. We are working closely with co-working spaces and innovation hubs across Kenya to ensure that digital nomads can seamlessly plug in and work wherever they are, while continuing to enjoy their holidays,” explained Chepkemei.
Creating a Digital Nomad-Friendly Ecosystem
In addition to collaborating with providers of digital infrastructure, the Kenya Tourism Board plans to work with tourism stakeholders, particularly accommodation providers, to design special rates tailored for digital nomads.
Chepkemei explained: “The workforce of the future does not want to be confined to a physical office. They seek a balance between work and life, preferring to work from any location that offers good connectivity and affordable, decent accommodation. We will be partnering with key players in the tourism sector to ensure that we showcase accommodations that cater to these digital professionals. We will be offering tailored packages and informing nomads about where they can stay and work effectively.”
MKTE 2024: A significant success
The 14th edition of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) took place at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi from October 2-4, drawing a diverse and impressive array of attendees. According to the CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), the 2024 event attracted over 4,000 delegates, 180 high-quality international buyers, and 471 exhibitors representing 35 countries.
“It was the most successful to date,” declared CEO Chepkemei.
The expo provided a dynamic platform for industry stakeholders to come together under one roof, not only to conduct business but also to learn, network, and share ideas. Participants were updated on emerging trends in the tourism sector through specially curated seminars led by industry experts and thought leaders.
One of the notable additions to this year’s event was the involvement of academic institutions, which presented their research findings on key topics such as sustainability and innovation in the tourism sector.
A significant highlight of MKTE 2024 was the signing of a route marketing agreement between the Kenya Tourism Board and AirAsia X. This partnership is set to facilitate the launch of four new direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi each week, beginning on November 15, marking a major milestone in enhancing connectivity and boosting tourism between the two regions.
This story was first published in the December 2024 edition of the VoyagesAfriq Travel Magazine
