Tanzania has removed Nigerians from its referred visa category, easing a travel restriction that previously required additional immigration clearance before a visa could be issued. This change could open opportunities for tourism, trade and business between Tanzania and Nigeria, while reducing the administrative hurdles involved in travelling between the two markets.
Before the change, Nigerians were among the nationalities subject to Tanzania’s referred visa system, which required visa application before travelling and additional clearance from immigration authorities before a visa could be issued. Removing Nigerians from the category means they can now use the standard visa application process through Tanzania’s online immigration portal or acquire visa on arrival at the entry port in Tanzania, cutting out an extra bureaucratic step that could delay travel and make movement between the two countries less complicated.
Nigeria and Tanzania already have economic ties, although trade between the two countries remains relatively low. Tanzania’s exports to Nigeria ranged from $31.7 million to $47.7 million between 2021 and 2024. Easier visa access could make it easier for businesses and travellers from both countries to explore more opportunities in each other’s markets.
Kenya offers a useful comparison. After easing visa requirements for African travellers, the country recorded 2.7 million international visitors in 2025, up from 2.47 million in 2024, while total tourism earnings reached about KSh500 billion, approximately US$3.9 billion. The growth was also supported by destination marketing and improved tourism products, but Kenya’s experience shows the scale of the market that countries can target when travel barriers are reduced.
The reform could also improve Tanzania’s position on continental mobility. The country ranked 17th out of 54 African countries on the 2025 Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI), which measures how easily African citizens can travel across the continent. Tanzania’s removal of Nigerians from its referred visa category could improve if similar reforms are extended to more African travellers.
Tourism is one of the areas Tanzania will benefit from the change. The country is already a major tourist destination, with attractions including the Serengeti, Zanzibar and Mount Kilimanjaro drawing international visitors. With Nigerians no longer subject to the additional referred-visa clearance, Tanzania has removed one administrative hurdle for travellers from the most populous African country and could have more room to attract visitors and business travellers.
The change could also create room for stronger business and investment ties between Nigeria and Tanzania. With bilateral trade still relatively low, removing an additional bureaucratic barrier could make it easier for businesses from both countries to explore partnerships, investment and new markets. According to Adeniran Timothy, Director-General of the International Forum for Peace & Diplomacy, the two countries have significant economic opportunities that remain largely untapped.
“Nigeria and Tanzania have the potential to unlock more than $10 billion annually in cross-border trade and investment,” he said, while calling for Nigeria to reciprocate Tanzania’s move.
Tanzania’s tourism sector is already growing. International tourist arrivals rose from 2.1 million in 2024 to about 2.3 million in 2025, while tourism earnings increased by 13 percent to $4.41 billion. With the sector already attracting more visitors and generating higher earnings, the removal of the additional visa clearance for Nigerians gives Tanzania another potential market to tap as it looks to sustain that growth.
