Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda said they are working on a joint visa scheme to ease travel for football fans during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), an official said.

Rebecca Kadaga, the chairperson of the East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers, announced the plan on Tuesday during an inspection of the Arusha Pamoja AFCON Stadium by members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

Kadaga, also Uganda’s first deputy prime minister and minister for EAC Affairs, said the three host countries were developing a special visa framework to facilitate supporters’ movement across their borders during the tournament.

She said the proposed arrangement would enable fans to attend matches in different countries and visit tourist attractions while creating business opportunities for hotels, tour operators, transport providers and other service businesses.

An EALA member, Abdullah Makame, said the scheme’s impact would depend on the final visa requirements and how effectively they were implemented at border crossings.

During the inspection, the delegation was informed that construction of the Arusha Pamoja AFCON Stadium, which is designed to accommodate about 32,500 spectators, had reached 95 per cent completion.

The 36th edition of AFCON will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027, marking the first time the tournament will take place across three countries. 

(Xinhua/NAN)