Top 10 Most Powerful Passports In Africa.

On January 10, 2023, Henley & Partners released its annual report on the most powerful passports, using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This ranking evaluates passport strength based on how many destinations a passport holder can travel to without a visa or with a visa-on-arrival option. In 2023, Japan once again claimed the top spot globally, followed by Singapore and South Korea, tied in second place.

For African countries, Seychelles and Mauritius continue to lead in passport power, offering the most travel freedom on the continent. Understanding this ranking is crucial for travelers, businesses, and those considering international mobility options.

Seychelles and Mauritius: The Strongest African Passports in 2023

The two strongest African passports belong to Seychelles and Mauritius. Seychelles ranks 29th globally, granting its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 153 destinations. Meanwhile, Mauritius ranks 34th globally with access to 146 destinations.

Despite being smaller nations, Seychelles and Mauritius have built strong diplomatic relationships, giving their citizens access to a wide range of global destinations. This makes travel and international business much easier for passport holders from these countries.

South Africa: Leading Passport in Southern Africa

The third most powerful African passport in 2023 is held by South Africa, ranking 53rd globally. South Africa’s citizens have relatively broad access to international destinations, making it a key player in terms of travel freedom within Africa.

Botswana, Namibia, and Other Southern African Countries

Several Southern African nations rank well on the 2023 Henley Passport Index. Botswana comes in 63rd, Namibia is 67th, and Lesotho ranks 69th. eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) follows at 71st. These rankings indicate that Southern African countries generally perform well in terms of travel mobility.

East Africa’s Strongest Passports: Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi

East African countries also have respectable rankings in 2023. Malawi takes the 72nd spot, with Kenya following closely at 73rd and Tanzania at 74th. These rankings reflect the region’s growing importance in the global travel landscape, with increasing visa-free or visa-on-arrival opportunities for its citizens.

Zambia and Other Leading African Passports

At 75th place globally, Zambia holds the eleventh most powerful passport in Africa. Tunisia comes in 76th, followed by Gambia at 77th, Uganda at 78th, and Zimbabwe at 79th.

Both Ghana and Morocco are ranked 80th, while Sierra Leone comes in 81st. Mozambique ranks 82nd, and Benin and Rwanda share the 83rd spot. Sao Tome and Principe ranks 84th, followed by Mauritania at 85th.

West African Nations: Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Others

West African countries generally have similar rankings. Burkina Faso leads this region in 86th place, followed by Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and Senegal, all ranked 87th globally. Several other African nations are tied at 88th, including Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Madagascar, and Togo.

Somalia: The Least Powerful African Passport

At the lower end of the 2023 rankings is Somalia, which ranks 104th globally. Somali passport holders can only access 35 destinations without a visa or with visa-on-arrival options, making it one of the least powerful passports in the world. Afghanistan ranks last overall, at 109th, with the fewest travel options globally.

How the Henley Passport Index Works

The Henley Passport Index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains a comprehensive database of travel information. The index ranks passports by how many destinations their holders can visit without requiring a visa or with a visa-on-arrival option.

Each passport is assigned a score of 1 for destinations where no visa is required or where travelers can easily obtain a visa on arrival, an electronic travel authorization (eTA), or a visit permit. A score of 0 is assigned for destinations requiring a visa before departure. This scoring system provides a practical and detailed insight into global mobility.