• The 2025 Henley Passport Index has revealed the strongest and weakest African passports based on global travel access. 
  • Topping the list are Seychelles and Mauritius, whose citizens can visit over 140 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival. On the other end, Somalia, Libya, and Eritrea offer minimal travel freedom, granting access to fewer than 45 destinations.

The world is now a global village and movement border to border is one of the necessities for people’s existence nowadays. However, ravel freedom varies widely across Africa especially when it comes to the strengths of passports. Some passports open doors to over 150 countries visa-free, while others offer access to fewer than 40.

The 2025 Henley Passport Index has ranked global passports based on the number of destinations holders can access without first processing a visa. So without wasting much time, here’s a look at how African passports stack up starting with the top ten strongest African passports and ten weakest passports:-

Top 10 strongest African passports in 2025

These passports below give their holders the most travel freedom across the world:-

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1. Seychelles – 156 countries

Seychelles citizens enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to most of Europe, Asia, and the Americas. This includes countries like:

  • United Kingdom
  • Singapore
  • All EU Schengen countries

2. Mauritius – 149 countries

Mauritians can travel freely to many destinations including:

  • United Kingdom
  • Malaysia
  • Most EU nations

3. South Africa – 103 countries

Although South Africa’s global movement has dropped slightly, its passport still grants access to:

  • Brazil
  • Singapore
  • Ireland

4. Botswana – 85 countries

The Botswana passport holders can travel to:

  • Hong Kong
  • Indonesia
  • Kenya

5. Namibia – 79 countries

Visa-free travel includes:

  • Germany (under specific arrangements)
  • Zambia
  • Philippines

6. Lesotho – 76 countries

Lesotho citizens enjoy visa-free entry to:

  • Ireland
  • Malaysia
  • Jamaica

7. eSwatini – 74 countries

Holders can visit:

  • Singapore
  • Kenya
  • Philippines

8. Malawi / Morocco – 73 countries

Popular visa-free destinations include:

  • Turkey
  • South Africa
  • Indonesia

9. Kenya / The Gambia – 71 countries

Travel without a visa to:

  • Ghana
  • Jamaica
  • Malaysia

10. Tanzania – 70 countries

Tanzanians can visit:

  • Barbados
  • Malaysia
  • Rwanda

Top 10 weakest African passports in 2025

On the weaker side, these passports offer the least travel freedom. They are often limited to only a few neighboring or regional countries:

1.Somalia

The Somali passport can only travel visa-free or with visa-on-arrival to about 35 countries, mainly in East Africa and a few Asian nations like:

  • Ethiopia
  • Haiti
  • Mozambique

2. Libya

Well, roughly 40 destinations allow Libyan passport holders entry without a visa, including:

  • Jordan
  • Malaysia (visa-on-arrival)
  • Sudan

3. Eritrea

This gives access to about 44 countries, mostly:

  • Kenya
  • Uganda
  • Bangladesh

4. Sudan

Sudanese citizens have visa-free access to 46 countries, such as:

  • Egypt
  • Syria
  • Malaysia

5. South Sudan / DR Congo

Both passports offer access to around 47 countries, including:

  • Uganda
  • Rwanda
  • Cambodia

6. Nigeria / Ethiopia

These two African giants have limited mobility with 48–49 countries accessible, including:

  • Ghana (for Nigeria)
  • Kenya (for Ethiopia)
  • Barbados

7. Djibouti

Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 51 countries, such as:

  • Somalia
  • Iran
  • Philippines

8. Republic of Congo / Burundi / Angola

Holders of these passports can visit 52 countries, including:

  • Zimbabwe
  • Senegal
  • Madagascar

9. Egypt / Cameroon

Citizens of both countries can access 53 destinations, including:

  • Lebanon
  • Jordan
  • Indonesia

10. Liberia / Central African Republic

Passport holders from these countries can travel to 54 countries, mostly within West Africa and some Caribbean island

Africa’s passport power varies greatly depending on the country. While Seychelles and Mauritius lead the continent with global access, countries like Somalia, Libya, and Eritrea face major travel restrictions. For African nations, improving passport strength often ties into diplomacy, international agreements, and political stability.

For so long, there have been calls to make travel across the African continent free for all Africans. Some countries have already adopted it already although others are yet to effect it although it’s something being looked into by many African nations.