Rabat, November 24, 2025 – The Europe Today: Russia is strengthening its tourism ties with Morocco through expanded visa-free travel arrangements, part of a broader strategy aimed at deepening engagement with African destinations, Russian media reported.
Morocco is now among 11 African nations that enjoy visa-free travel agreements with Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Partnership with Africa confirmed that citizens of both countries can travel without visa requirements, marking a significant step in boosting bilateral tourism flows.
Tatyana Dovgalenko, Director of Russia’s Department for Partnership with Africa, announced plans to further expand visa-free arrangements across the continent.
“Introducing visa-free travel with the majority of African countries could help develop tourism,” she said during a roundtable discussion on tourism development at the State Duma. “We are conducting further work with other countries and hope that this list will expand in the near term.”
Morocco’s strong aviation connectivity with Russia places it among the most advantageous African destinations. The kingdom, along with Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Ethiopia, and Seychelles, maintains regular direct and charter flight connections with Russian cities.
The current list of African countries enjoying visa-free travel with Russia includes Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde, Mauritius, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Tunisia, and South Africa. Russian authorities are also working on new tourism agreements and memoranda with additional African states.
Dovgalenko noted an existing geographical imbalance in tourism flows, with North African destinations—particularly Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia—attracting the majority of Russian visitors. Egypt alone received 1.5 million Russian tourists in 2024, accounting for 15% of the country’s tourism revenue. Russia is now Egypt’s second-largest source of foreign visitors after Germany.
By contrast, Sub-Saharan African countries draw significantly fewer Russian travellers, a disparity that Russian officials believe requires strategic and innovative solutions.
Aviation development remains central to Russia’s strategy for expanding its presence in African tourism markets. Beginning January 2026, direct flights between Casablanca and Moscow will increase to seven per week. Royal Air Maroc also plans to launch a new direct service from Casablanca to St. Petersburg, further strengthening bilateral tourism links.
Egypt currently maintains the strongest aviation ties with Russia, operating 113 weekly flights between the two countries. Russian authorities are preparing to introduce flights to Egyptian Mediterranean destinations—including Alexandria—pending technical clearances.
However, the expansion of aviation routes faces challenges, including difficulties in aircraft refuelling, shortages of wide-body planes, and constraints linked to international sanctions. Several African airports rely on foreign-owned ground-handling companies, which can complicate authorization for overflights, landings, and routine servicing.
Russian officials identified Egypt, Tanzania, and Ethiopia as the most active partners seeking to attract more Russian tourists. Discussions are underway to include these countries in Russia’s e-visa program to further streamline travel and boost tourism exchanges.
Moscow aims to develop balanced tourism cooperation, increasing the flow of African tourists to Russia while promoting Russian travel across the African continent. Officials highlighted the rise of Africa’s middle class and expanding economic activity as drivers of future tourism growth.
