During his opening remarks at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenyan President William Ruto raised a possibility that he hoped would be a promise that could be fulfilled.
After explaining to those in attendance, including several heads of state or deputies of African countries and ministers or undersecretaries from around the world (including Italy's Environment Minister, Claudio Barbaro) that "coming to Kenya is like coming home" because civilization was born here, he said he is considering "the possibility of abolishing the entry visa requirement for all foreign nationals to enter Kenya."

"As Kenyans we are discussing that in a few months we will seriously consider abolishing the visa requirement, because it is unfair to ask for visas from anyone coming back home," the president said.
Beyond proclamations during international meetings such as this one, in fact the Kenyan government has already started this experiment with some African countries and lately with an Asian one, Indonesia.

It certainly could be a move to entice tourism and even business travel or why not, a stay for a few days for those transiting through Nairobi or Mombasa.
Ruto thus opened Africa's first climate summit, an important step on the road to Cop28 to be held in Dubai starting next Nov. 30. In addition to Barbaro's presence, the Italian delegation assisted by the Italian Ambassador to Kenya Roberto Natali and deputy chief of mission Lorenza Gambacorta, saw the opening day speech by the government's special envoy for climate change, Francesco Corvaro, who reiterated Italy's interest in strengthening relations with African countries, particularly in the agribusiness sector, as the best response for sustainability that underpins the resilience for which Africa needs support.

For Ruto himself, African resources constitute not only an added value for the continent, but a possible salvation, a "power bank" essential to solve a good part of not only climate but also economic problems globally.