10 Countries with the Most Powerful Passports in Africa

Have you ever wondered which country in Africa has the most powerful passport? In this article, we will talk about top-ranking passports in Africa.

Africa is a beautiful continent and for many reasons including powerful passports. It gladdens our hearts to state that Africa’s most powerful passport holds the 27^th spot in the world. That obviously means that we are indeed going to many places. The rankings were made using the Henley Passport Index.

 

1. Seychelles – the most powerful passport in Africa

Seychelles boasts of the most powerful passport in Africa. The beautiful island country is one of the many nations scattered across the Indian Ocean. Seychelles has the 27^th most powerful passport in Africa. It is a great tourist destination and yet people from this country can travel to almost 150 countries in the world visa-free. Top destinations for Seychelles passport holders include Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, UAE, Oman, Jamaica and many more.

All foreigners coming to Seychelles also have access to travel without a visa. However, they must have sufficient funds, valid passport, onward and return ticket amongst other things. Seychelles shares the 27^th position with Costa Rica.

2.     Mauritius

Mauritius holds the 31^st position of the most powerful passport in the world and the 2^nd position in Africa. Residents can travel to over 145 countries in the world without a visa. Many countries can also visit the country without visas although countries like India must get a visa on arrival. Some countries citizens can visit include Angola, Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados and many more.

3.     South Africa

The South African passport is the 3^rd most powerful passport in Africa and the 54^th in the world. Citizens can travel to over 99 countries visa-free from the country.

Most recently, their government introduced the e-visa, which makes it convenient for residents who want to visit areas where visas are needed. As of yesterday( 4^th Dec 2019), South Africans can now travel to Tunisia without visas increasing the number to 100 countries. Citizens can travel to countries such as Malawi, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Georgia and many more visa-free.

4. Botswana

Botswana is a landlocked country in southern Africa. The country is also a well-known tourist destination in the world. Botswana also boasts of one of the most powerful passports in Africa at the 64^th position in the world. Citizens can travel to over 82 countries in the world visa-free. Botswana shares the 64^th position with Papua New Guinean. Top visa-free locations for Botswana passport holders include Antigua and Barbuda, Comoros, Ecuador and many more.

5.     Namibia

Namibia is another southern African country. They are best known for their rich and natural experiences. Foreigners enjoy visiting the country. Namibia also has one of the most powerful passport in Africa and ranks at 68^th position in the world. Namibians can visit over 76 countries in the world without a visa.

6.     Lesotho

The Kingdom of Lesotho is a fascinating country found within the border of South Africa. The country is also well known for its scenic mountains, valleys, and fascinating tourist attractions. Foreigners enjoy visiting the kingdom although they can only reach many villages by foot, light aircraft, or horseback. On the other hand, Citizens of this amazing country can travel to over 73 countries in the world visa-free. Lesotho has the 70th most powerful passport in the world.

7.     Malawi

Malawi is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa. They have the 71^st most powerful passport in Africa. With a passport from Malawi, you can travel to over 71 countries without a visa. 

Some countries Malawians can visit without visas include Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Comoros, Belize, Estwatini, Fiji and many more.

8.     Kenya

China and Kenya rank at 74^th position as the most powerful passports in the world. Citizens from both countries can travel to over 70 countries without a visa.

Kenya is best known for its scenic landscapes and wildlife preserves. Nairobi and Maasai Mara are top tourism destinations in the beautiful east African country. On the other hand, Kenyans can visit countries like Bahamas, Ethiopia, Ghana and many more without a visa.  

9.     Zambia

Zambia holds the 8^th spot as the most powerful passport in Africa and the 75^th position in the world. Indonesia also holds this position alongside. The landlocked country is located in south-central Africa. Zambia also attracts an enormous number of tourists because of its iconic Victoria Falls, national parks, and wildlife preserves.

Zambians can visit over 69 countries visa-free including Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Barbados, Bermuda, Bahamas and many more.

10. Gambia and Tanzania

Gambia and Tanzania share the 76^th position in the ranking of the most powerful passports in the world. The Gambia is found in West Africa while Tanzania is found in East Africa. Both countries are huge tourist destinations. 

The Gambia is also known as the smallest non-island country in Africa and yet has managed to have citizens travelling visa-free to 68 countries. Citizens from both countries can travel to destinations such as Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Cape Verde, Barbados, Ecuador, Jamaica, Bahamas, Hong Kong and many more.

Tunisia and Cape Verde used to be the 9^th and 10^th positions in Africa. However, today they are at the 11^th and 12^th positions. With the Tunisian passport, you have access to 77 countries while the Cape Verde passport accesses 79 countries.

The Nigerian passport

Despite being the most populated country in Africa, Nigeria ranks among the least passports in the world. The Nigerian passport is a letdown with visa-free access to only 47 countries in the world. The Nigerian passport is at a depressing 94^th position.

On the global scale

On a global scale, Germany used to be the most powerful passport in the world. Right now, Japan is in that position with access to 190 countries. This is followed by Singapore, Germany, France, and South Korea. Countries such as Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, and Italy hold the 5^th position with visa-free access to 187 countries. United States, Portugal, Luxembourg, Austria, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Norway rank in the 6^th position with visa-free access to 186 countries.

Concluding thoughts

And there you have it, the 10 most powerful passports in Africa. Feel free to share your thoughts with us about the Nigerian passport and ranking factors.