Russia plans to extend visa-free travel to four more African nations, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini as part of a broader strategy to boost tourism, deepen diplomatic ties, and strengthen economic engagement in southern Africa, officials said Monday.
The move comes amid increasing U.S. visa restrictions for some African travellers, which include refundable bonds of up to $15,000, creating barriers for citizens from affected countries. Russian authorities said the expansion is intended to provide an alternative for African tourists and investors while increasing Moscow’s influence in a region where Western involvement is limited.
Sangadzhi Tarbaev, head of the State Duma’s tourism committee, announced the initiative, saying negotiations are underway with the four countries to formalize reciprocal visa-free arrangements. “Africa, with the exception of Egypt, is not a mass destination, but it does attract tourists,” Tarbaev said. “Interest in African travel among Russians has been gradually increasing, driven by shifts away from traditional European destinations and by stronger political and economic ties with non-Western partners.”
Currently, Russia maintains reciprocal visa-free agreements with eleven African countries, 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. Officials said the expansion aims to eventually cover a majority of African nations.
“Introducing visa-free travel with the majority of African countries could help develop tourism,” Dovgalenko said at a State Duma roundtable on tourism and cultural exchanges. She added that Russia is also pursuing additional agreements and memoranda on tourism and business cooperation with several African states.
Beyond tourism, analysts say the initiative is part of Moscow’s broader diplomatic push to assert influence in southern Africa. By offering visa-free access, Russia hopes to foster people-to-people exchanges, stimulate business, and strengthen economic and cultural ties, particularly in countries where Western engagement has been limited.
The targeted countries – Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini – are rich in natural attractions, wildlife tourism, and cultural heritage, but remain underrepresented in Russian outbound travel compared with North African destinations such as Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. Officials say visa-free travel is expected to make business travel easier, encourage investment, and support long-term economic cooperation.
The initiative also coincides with Moscow’s efforts to diversify its international partnerships beyond Europe and parts of Asia, amid a decline in influence in the Americas, particularly in Central and South America. Russian authorities say expanding visa-free travel is a low-cost but highly visible tool to strengthen bilateral relationships.
Observers note that while the policy may primarily target tourism and trade, it carries strategic implications. By facilitating easier movement for citizens of southern African states, Russia can cultivate goodwill and create avenues for soft power, in contrast to U.S. and European visa regimes, which are increasingly restrictive for certain African travellers.
“The expansion of visa-free agreements is a clear diplomatic signal,” said one analyst on Russian-African relations. “It underscores Moscow’s intention to remain a key partner for African governments while presenting an alternative to Western influence in the region.”
Russian officials said they hope to finalize agreements with the four new countries soon, adding them to the growing list of African nations enjoying visa-free access. The step is part of a long-term plan to connect Russian and African markets, encourage tourism, and strengthen people-to-people links, while strategically positioning Russia in a competitive international landscape.
