Russia has announced plans to extend visa-free travel to four additional African countries—Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini as part of efforts to boost tourism, deepen diplomatic ties, and expand its influence on the continent amid tightening U.S. visa restrictions.
The move, which targets southern Africa, is aimed at strengthening people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation while positioning Moscow as an alternative partner at a time when access to the United States has become more restrictive for some African travellers.
The announcement was made by Sangadzhi Tarbaev, head of the Russian State Duma’s tourism committee, who said negotiations are ongoing to include the four countries in Russia’s growing list of visa-free partners in Africa.
Tarbaev noted that while Africa is not yet a mass tourism destination for Russians aside from Egypt interest in travel to the continent is steadily increasing. He attributed this trend to reduced travel to Europe and closer political and economic relations with non-Western countries.
Russia currently has reciprocal visa-free travel arrangements with 11 African countries.
These include Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde, Mauritius, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Tunisia, and South Africa.
According to Tatyana Dovgalenko, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Partnership with Africa, Moscow is working to further expand the list through new bilateral agreements, memoranda on tourism, and cultural exchange frameworks.
She said broader visa-free access could significantly support tourism development and strengthen long-term cooperation between Russia and African nations.
The proposed expansion comes as the United States has introduced stricter entry measures for some African travellers, including refundable visa bonds of up to $15,000, a policy that has drawn criticism for creating financial barriers.
Against this backdrop, Russia’s visa-free initiative is being viewed as both a tourism-driven policy and a strategic diplomatic tool.
Analysts say the move could help Moscow increase its footprint in southern Africa, a region known for wildlife tourism, natural attractions, and cultural heritage but still underrepresented in Russian outbound travel.
If finalised, the inclusion of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini would mark another step in Russia’s broader effort to diversify its global partnerships beyond Europe and Asia, while reinforcing its engagement with Africa through mobility, trade, and diplomatic cooperation