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The latest Henley Passport Index ranking highlights the overall performance of passports, particularly African passports, in terms of international migration.
Several countries in Africa are ranked at different levels, some ahead of others despite different economic and political realities.
According to this report, some African passports have gained fewer positions compared to the previous year, indicating slight improvements in the availability of visa-free or visa-on-arrival visas.
African passport values have seen significant changes over the years, with the certificates rising in value in the 2000s and then falling dramatically in the early 2020s.
In general, African passports provide visa-free access to a limited number of countries.
“Visa-free” access means that no prior formalities are required to enter your destination country, with a visa on arrival being issued upon arrival.
The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports based on their level of global access, with countries with similar scores receiving the same rank.
This rating is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and assesses a passport’s ability to allow visa-free travel to 227 destinations worldwide.
Singapore, Japan and South Korea are the three countries with the most powerful passports in the world.
Japan, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea enjoy visa-free access to 187 countries worldwide, while Singapore can access 192 destinations.
In contrast, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan rank low in the rankings. Afghanistan ranks 101st, with access to only 23 countries.
Seychelles and Mauritius are the highest-ranked countries in Africa, ranking 22nd and 25th respectively.
In recent years, several countries, including Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Somalia, Mauritania and São Tomé and Príncipe, have imposed visa requirements on Nigerian citizens, thereby limiting visa-free access for Nigerian passport holders to 44 countries.
According to the Henley Passport Index, the UK ranks 6th in the world, with visa-free access to 183 countries.
Canada and Australia are ranked 7th, giving their citizens visa-free access to 182 destinations.
Iceland and the United States are tied for 10th place, with 179 countries accessible without a visa.
In 4th place, we find Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands and Switzerland, whose passports allow visa-free travel to 185 countries.
Countries with the most powerful passports in the world
- Singapore – 1st
- Japan – 2nd
- South Korea – 2nd
- United Arab Emirates – 2nd
- Sweden – 3rd
- Belgium – 4th
- Denmark – 4th
- Finland – 4th
- France – 4th
- Germany – 4th
- Ireland – 4th
- Italy – 4th
- Luxembourg – 4th
- Netherlands – 4th
- Norway – 4th
- Spain – 4th
- Switzerland – 4th
- Austria – 5th
- Greece – 5th
- Malta – 5th
Palestine ranks 94th with visa-free access to 38 countries, Bangladesh ranks 95th with access to 36 countries.
North Korea is ranked 96th with visa-free access to 35 countries, Somalia is ranked 97th with visa-free access to 32 countries, and Pakistan is ranked 98th with access to 31 countries.
Yemen ranks 98th with access to 31 countries without a visa, Iraq ranks 99th with 29 countries without a visa, Syria ranks 100th with 26 countries without a visa, while Afghanistan ranks last with 23 countries without a visa.
The 10 most powerful passports in Africa
- Seychelles
- MAURITIUS
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Lesotho
- eSwatini
- Kenya
- Gambia
- Tanzania
