Somalia’s place in East African tourism changed significantly when the country became a full member of the East African Community on 4 March 2024.
Somalia is now one of eight EAC Partner States
The EAC now includes Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. The bloc is working toward deeper economic and social integration, including cooperation in tourism.
Why membership matters to tourism
The EAC already promotes East Africa as a single tourism destination. Its regional strategy encourages multi-country products, common standards for tourism businesses and stronger international marketing.
Somalia adds more than 3,000 kilometres of Indian Ocean coastline to the wider regional story, as well as heritage, food, city travel and links to the Gulf and Horn of Africa.
Does EAC membership mean one visa for every visitor?
No. Travellers should not assume that. Regional integration and individual-country immigration rules are different things. The well-known East Africa Tourist Visa applies to Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, while Somalia operates its own entry system.
Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation system in 2025. Foreign-passport travellers should check the current official requirements and obtain approval before travel where required.
What could improve over time
Regional tourism cooperation can support better connectivity, easier marketing, tourism standards and more East Africa itineraries that include Somalia. Airlines linking Mogadishu with Nairobi and Addis Ababa already make the regional connection practical for many travellers.
Planning Somalia as part of an East Africa trip
Build the regional trip first around confirmed international flights. Then plan the Somalia section around arrival time, eTA status, hotel, local guide and the route you want to cover.
Plan the Somalia section of your East Africa journey →
