Russia is preparing to extend visa-free travel to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Eswatini as part of a broader effort to boost tourism and deepen diplomatic and economic engagement in southern Africa, while leveraging openings created by stricter U.S. visa policies.
The plan, announced by Sangadzhi Tarbaev, chairman of the State Duma’s tourism committee, is aimed at expanding people-to-people exchanges and strengthening Russia’s footprint on the continent.
Tarbaev said discussions are ongoing to add the four countries to Russia’s existing list of African visa-free partners.
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Although Africa—outside of Egypt—has not traditionally been a major destination for Russian tourists, Tarbaev noted that interest is steadily growing.
This shift is being driven by reduced travel to Europe and stronger political and economic ties between Russia and non-Western countries.
Russia currently maintains reciprocal visa-free arrangements with 11 African nations: Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde, Mauritius, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Tunisia and South Africa.
According to Tatyana Dovgalenko of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Partnership with Africa, Moscow is actively working to expand this list and finalize additional tourism agreements and memoranda with other African countries.
The latest push comes as the United States tightens entry requirements for some African travellers, including the introduction of refundable visa bonds of up to $15,000.
While Washington says the policy is intended to curb overstays, critics argue it places a heavy financial burden on applicants.
Against this backdrop, Russia’s visa-free initiative is being positioned as both a tourism boost and a diplomatic tool, particularly in southern Africa, a region rich in natural attractions but still underrepresented in Russian outbound travel.
By easing travel barriers, Moscow hopes to encourage business ties, cultural exchange and long-term cooperation, while consolidating its influence amid a relatively muted Western presence in the region.
