Passports ( Photo: Shutterstock )
In 2025, African passports continue to climb global rankings, with Seychelles leading the charge. According to the Henley Passport Index, Seychelles ranks 25th globally, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to an impressive 156 destinations. This marks a one-spot improvement from 2024 and underscores Seychelles’ dominance as Africa's strongest passport.
Mauritius follows closely, securing the 29th spot worldwide with access to 151 destinations. South Africa rounds out the top three in Africa, granting its passport holders entry to 106 countries, ranking 48th globally.
Seychelles' international standing reflects its strong diplomatic relationships, political stability, and a thriving tourism sector. Mauritius also benefits from strategic alliances and robust ties with global partners. Meanwhile, South Africa’s diverse economy and political influence keep it among the continent’s travel powerhouses.
Completing Africa’s top ten are Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Kenya, and Morocco. These nations owe their rankings to strategic bilateral agreements and improvements in global mobility.
At the bottom of the rankings are South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, Libya, and Somalia. Somalia, ranking 102nd globally, offers its citizens access to just 35 destinations without a prior visa. Challenges such as political instability, limited diplomatic ties, and economic struggles weigh heavily on these nations’ mobility scores.
African passports are steadily improving. For the first time, three countries—Seychelles, Mauritius, and South Africa, appear in the global top 50, up from two in 2024.
However, there’s a stark gap between Africa's best and worst performers, with some countries still struggling to secure meaningful visa-free access.
Rank | Country | Destinations | Global Rank |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Seychelles | 156 | 25th |
2 | Mauritius | 151 | 29th |
3 | South Africa | 106 | 48th |
4 | Botswana | 88 | 57th |
5 | Namibia | 81 | 62nd |
6 | Lesotho | 79 | 64th |
7 | Eswatini | 77 | 65th |
8 | Malawi | 75 | 67th |
9 | Kenya | 74 | 68th |
10 | Morocco | 73 | 69th |
10 | Tanzania | 73 | 69th |
12 | Gambia | 71 | 71st |
13 | Uganda | 70 | 72nd |
13 | Zambia | 70 | 72nd |
15 | Tunisia | 69 | 73rd |
16 | Benin | 68 | 74th |
16 | Cape Verde | 68 | 74th |
16 | Ghana | 68 | 74th |
19 | Rwanda | 66 | 76th |
19 | Sierra Leone | 66 | 76th |
21 | Mozambique | 65 | 77th |
21 | Zimbabwe | 65 | 77th |
23 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 63 | 79th |
24 | Togo | 61 | 81st |
25 | Burkina Faso | 60 | 82nd |
25 | Gabon | 60 | 82nd |
25 | Madagascar | 60 | 82nd |
28 | Côte d’Ivoire | 59 | 83rd |
28 | Guinea | 59 | 83rd |
30 | Mauritania | 58 | 84th |
30 | Senegal | 58 | 84th |
32 | Equatorial Guinea | 57 | 85th |
32 | Niger | 57 | 85th |
34 | Algeria | 56 | 86th |
35 | Guinea-Bissau | 55 | 87th |
35 | Mali | 55 | 87th |
37 | Comoros | 54 | 88th |
38 | Central African Republic | 53 | 89th |
38 | Chad | 53 | 89th |
40 | Egypt | 52 | 90th |
40 | Liberia | 52 | 90th |
42 | Angola | 51 | 91st |
43 | Burundi | 50 | 92nd |
43 | Cameroon | 50 | 92nd |
43 | Republic of Congo | 50 | 92nd |
46 | Djibouti | 49 | 93rd |
47 | DR Congo | 46 | 94th |
47 | Ethiopia | 46 | 94th |
47 | Nigeria | 46 | 94th |
50 | South Sudan | 44 | 96th |
51 | Sudan | 43 | 97th |
52 | Eritrea | 42 | 98th |
53 | Libya | 40 | 100th |
54 | Somalia | 35 | 102nd |
1. What is the Henley Passport Index?
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. It evaluates 199 passports and is updated annually.
2. Why does Seychelles have Africa's strongest passport?
Seychelles benefits from political stability, a robust tourism industry, and strong diplomatic ties, enabling its citizens to enjoy extensive visa-free access globally.
3. How does South Africa compare to other African countries?
South Africa ranks third in Africa and 48th globally, offering access to 106 destinations. This makes it one of the continent’s most powerful passports, although it lags behind Seychelles and Mauritius.
4. What factors affect a country’s passport strength?
Key factors include diplomatic relationships, political stability, economic ties, and global mobility agreements.
5. How can African nations improve their passport rankings?
African countries can improve rankings by strengthening diplomatic ties, enhancing political stability, and negotiating more visa-free agreements with other nations.