
The most powerful passport in Africa is that of Seychelles, which is followed by Mauritius and South Africa, respectively.
This is in accordance with the Henley Passport Index, a reputable immigration consultancy with offices in London that evaluates passports based on how many places their holders can visit without a prior visa.
In addition to democracy, political fragility, security, and reciprocity, money, according to Henley & Partners, is a good indicator of passport strength.
“According to World Bank data, countries with higher GDP per capita also benefit from more visa-free travel options,” according to the consulting company.
A Seychelles passport entitles its holder to visa-free travel to 155 nations across the world. The country is ranked 24th worldwide among those having the strongest passports.
Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 tropical islands in the Indian Ocean, near East Africa, with a population of roughly 100,000. Numerous beaches, coral reefs, and natural preserves can be found there.
Another island nation in East Africa, Mauritius, is ranked number 29 in the world and offers holders of their passport visa-free travel to 148 other nations.
South Africa completes the top three in Africa
The third most potent passport in Africa is the South African one, which grants visa-free entry to 106 nations. On a global scale, South Africa is ranked number 52 among nations having the strongest travel documents.
With 89 countries accepting its passport, Botswana is ranked at position 60 in the globe. In terms of continental standing, it comes in only behind South Africa.
Namibia is ranked 64 globally and 5th in Africa in terms of the number of countries that accept holders of its passport. The Chinese, Saudi, and Bolivian passports and the Namibian passport are connected.
Lesotho, one of the tiniest countries in Africa, has a quite potent passport that allows holders entry into 79 nations. It shares the 65th spot with Thailand. It is sixth in Africa.
Eswatini, a country in Southern Africa, too offers a robust passport that enables travel to 77 international locations. It is ranked 67th globally and ninth on the continent.
Kenya, an East African nation that ranks ninth on the continent and 68th worldwide, has a passport that allows travel to 76 nations.
Tanzania and Malawi complete the top 10
Malawi comes in ninth on the continent and 69th overall, one spot behind Kenya in both Africa and the world, respectively. You can go to 75 different countries with it’s travel document.
Tanzania, a neighbor of Kenya, completes the list of the 10 most effective passports in Africa. Tanzanian passport holders can enter 73 nations with ease, ranking position 70 among the world’s most powerful passports.
A summary of Africa’s top 20 passports
Seychelles: No. 24 globally – destinations: 155
Mauritius: No. 29 globally – destinations: 148
South Africa: No. 52 globally – destinations: 106
Botswana: No. 60 globally – destinations: 89
Namibia: No. 64 globally – destinations: 80 (ties with China, Saudi Arabia, Bolivia)
Lesotho: No. 65 globally – destinations: 79 (ties with Thailand).
Eswatini: No. 67 globally – destinations: 77 (ties with Kazakhstan)
Kenya: No. 68 globally – destinations: 76
Malawi: No. 69 globally – destinations: 75
Tanzania: No. 70 globally – destinations: 73
Tunisia, Zambia tie: No. 71 globally – destinations: 71
Gambia: No. 72 globally – destinations: 70
Uganda: No. 73 globally – destinations: 69
Morocco, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe : No. 74 globally – destinations: 67
Cape Verde: No. 75 globally – destinations: 66 (ties with Philippines)
Ghana: No. 76 globally – destinations: 65
Mozambique, Rwanda tie: No. 77 globally – 63 destinations
The passports of continent’s economic giants Less than 60 nations around the world are accessible to both Nigeria and Egypt.
A Nigerian passport can be used to enter 46 countries, and it is rated 91 in the world, tied with South Sudan, the youngest country in Africa.
Egyptian passport holders can travel to 54 nations, ranking 84 in the world. Algeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, and Egypt are all connected.
Singapore dominates the globe
The strongest passport in the world is a Singaporean passport. 192 of the world’s 227 countries are accessible. Spain, Germany, and Italy share second place with 190 destinations apiece.
With 189 destinations each, Austria, Finland, France, Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea, and Sweden tie for third place.
With 188 countries that accept its passport, the United Kingdom ranks fourth globally, behind the Netherlands, Denmark, and Ireland.
With access to 184 locations worldwide, the United States, another strong country, shares eighth place with Lithuania.
“The index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – the largest, most accurate travel information database – and enhanced by Henley & Partners’ research team,” the migration consulting firm said in a statement.
“Over the course of the 18-year-old ranking’s existence, there has been a general trend towards greater travel freedom, with the average number of destinations travelers can access without a visa nearly doubling from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2023,” Henley & Partners stated.
The global mobility gap between the nations at the top and bottom of the index, according to the London-based firm, is currently greater than it has ever been.
According to Henley & Partners, “the top-ranked Singapore is able to access 165 more destinations visa-free than (the lowest-ranked) Afghanistan.”
Found this article informative? Share it:
Get instant alerts on major developments as they happen





