Up to now eight years, 35 nations have improved their visa insurance policies and, since 2016, 5 nations have abolished all visa necessities for African travellers.
Because of this, residents of not less than 5 nations can now take pleasure in visa-free journey in 42 totally different nations, in comparison with simply three in 2020.
Based on the Africa Improvement Financial institution’s Africa Visa Openness Report 2023, most nations are making progress in the direction of simplifying entry processes and dropping restrictions for different nations.
The report additionally signifies that the free motion of individuals has superior inside Africa’s regional financial blocs. Up to now 12 months, six of the eight regional financial communities acknowledged by the African Union have improved their members’ common visa openness.
West African nations are main the rankings, with a lot of the prime 10 performers being from this area. In reality, within the Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS), 97% of country-to-country journey routes are visa-free for residents of the area.
This is a abstract of Africa’s most open nations for journey.
1. Benin
Benin is among the many most visa-open nations in Africa, having persistently ranked extremely since 2018. Travellers from 53 African nations don’t require a visa to enter. Nevertheless, visa-free journey privileges provided by Benin are solely reciprocated by 13 of the 23 member states of the Group of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD).
2. The Gambia
The Gambia additionally ranks extremely in visa openness, having joined the highest performers in 2020. Travellers from 53 African nations don’t require a visa to enter. Nevertheless, like Benin, The Gambia’s visa-free journey privileges are solely reciprocated by 13 of the 23 member states of CEN-SAD.
3. Seychelles
Seychelles has persistently been one of many prime performers for the reason that inception of the African Visa Openness Index (AVOI). The island nation permits travellers from 53 African nations to enter with no visa.
4. Rwanda
Rwanda is a newcomer to the record of visa-free champions on the continent. In 2023, it’ll lengthen visa-free entry to all 53 African Union member states. Since 2016, residents of virtually 90% of African nations have been in a position to acquire a visa on arrival in Rwanda. In 2020, the nation waived visa-on-arrival charges for residents visiting for 30 days or much less.
5. Kenya
Kenya, additionally a brand new visa-free champion, started implementing a visa-free regime in 2024, after abolishing visa necessities in December 2023. Beforehand, travellers from 21 nations didn’t require a visa to enter Kenya, whereas these from 32 nations may acquire a visa on arrival. In 2022, Kenya was ranked thirty first out of 54 states within the visa index. Nevertheless, all international residents at the moment are required to use for his or her journey forward of time by way of an digital journey authorisation (ETA) system, which levies charges of not less than US$30.
6. Nigeria
Nigeria grants visa-free entry to residents of 17 nations globally and provides a visa-on-arrival service to these from 36 nations. Nigeria has been rising up the ranks after the nation introduced it was dropping its requirement that African residents acquire a visa earlier than arrival, in December 2019.
7. Ghana
Ghana permits travellers from 20 nations globally to reach visa-free and provides a visa on arrival to residents of 34 nations. Amongst African nations, solely residents of Morocco have to acquire a visa forward of journey.
Join free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the newest in African information delivered straight to your inbox
8. Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau grants visa-free entry to residents of 13 nations globally, whereas residents of 40 nations can acquire a visa on arrival.
9. Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) Residents of 16 nations globally don’t require a visa, whereas residents of 36 nations can acquire a visa on arrival. Amongst African nations, solely residents of Morocco want apply for a visa earlier than arrival.
10. Togo
In Togo, residents of 15 nations don’t require a visa, whereas residents of 37 nations can acquire a visa on arrival. Amongst African nations, solely residents of Djibouti want a visa.
20. Tanzania
30. Uganda
