Mozambique has announced that citizens of only three African countries—Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Senegal—are eligible to enter the country using an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) instead of a traditional visa. The Mozambican government confirmed the policy, which allows travellers from these nations to stay for up to 30 days, while all other African nationals must continue applying through the standard visa process.
African Countries Eligible for Mozambique ETA
The three countries granted ETA access are Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Senegal. This means that citizens of these nations can bypass the conventional visa application, which typically requires more documentation and longer processing times. The ETA offers a streamlined entry route, but it remains limited to this select group.
Citizens from all other African countries are not covered by the scheme and must obtain a visa before travelling to Mozambique. The narrow eligibility list means the vast majority of African travellers are yet to benefit from this simplified entry system.
What the ETA Allows for Eligible Travellers
Under the arrangement, travellers from Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Senegal may enter Mozambique and remain for up to 30 days. The ETA is designed to reduce bureaucratic hurdles compared to the traditional visa route, which often involves additional paperwork and waiting periods.
Mozambique's move places it among a growing number of African nations experimenting with digital or simplified entry systems for select countries on the continent. However, the limited eligibility underscores that most African travellers still face standard visa requirements.
Context: US ESTA Programme
In related news, the United States has published a list of countries whose citizens are eligible to enter America using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The ESTA programme allows eligible travellers to visit the US for tourism, business, or transit without obtaining a traditional visa beforehand.
This development mirrors Mozambique's ETA initiative, reflecting a broader trend of digital travel authorisation systems across different regions. For now, Mozambique's ETA remains restricted to the three West African nations, with no indication of expansion to other countries.
