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Africa Most and Least Powerful Passports in 2025

PostsJan. 15, 2025
Africa Most and Least Powerful Passports in 2025

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.

Africa’s 2025 Passport Rankings at a Glance

Rank Country Destinations Global Rank
1Seychelles15625th
2Mauritius15129th
3South Africa10648th
4Botswana8857th
5Namibia8162nd
6Lesotho7964th
7Eswatini7765th
8Malawi7567th
9Kenya7468th
10Morocco7369th
10Tanzania7369th
12Gambia7171st
13Uganda7072nd
13Zambia7072nd
15Tunisia6973rd
16Benin6874th
16Cape Verde6874th
16Ghana6874th
19Rwanda6676th
19Sierra Leone6676th
21Mozambique6577th
21Zimbabwe6577th
23São Tomé and Príncipe6379th
24Togo6181st
25Burkina Faso6082nd
25Gabon6082nd
25Madagascar6082nd
28Côte d’Ivoire5983rd
28Guinea5983rd
30Mauritania5884th
30Senegal5884th
32Equatorial Guinea5785th
32Niger5785th
34Algeria5686th
35Guinea-Bissau5587th
35Mali5587th
37Comoros5488th
38Central African Republic5389th
38Chad5389th
40Egypt5290th
40Liberia5290th
42Angola5191st
43Burundi5092nd
43Cameroon5092nd
43Republic of Congo5092nd
46Djibouti4993rd
47DR Congo4694th
47Ethiopia4694th
47Nigeria4694th
50South Sudan4496th
51Sudan4397th
52Eritrea4298th
53Libya40100th
54Somalia35102nd

FAQs

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.



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