Africa is making significant progress in its visa policies, easing travel restrictions for international visitors and steadily rising in rankings as one of the most travel-friendly regions, particularly in the aviation sector.
Visa policies vary globally, with some countries more open than others. The number of passports a country accepts visa-free plays a crucial role in determining its ranking in terms of visa-friendliness. According to the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI), which evaluates the continent’s visa policies, 39 African countries have improved their scores between 2016 and 2024. This reflects the region’s growing commitment to enhancing travel freedom and regional integration.
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Travel within Africa is becoming increasingly straightforward. According to the latest “Africa Visa Openness Index” (AVOI), visa regulations are becoming more relaxed across the continent, facilitating exploration and fostering new connections. In recent years, countries such as Benin, Rwanda, and Seychelles have been particularly notable, offering visa-free access to all African nationals, setting a strong example for others to follow. This shift in policy is expected to contribute to stronger regional cooperation and economic integration as part of broader initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to the Africa Visa Openness Index Findings 2024, between 2016 and 2024, 39 countries saw improvements in their AVOI scores, reflecting the continent’s trend towards loosening travel restrictions. The countries with the most significant improvements during this period include Ethiopia (46 to 19), Sierra Leone (32 to 13), Nigeria (25 to 6), Gambia (18 to 1), and Benin (31 to 1). However, the data also shows that while progress is significant, certain countries still impose visa requirements that can limit intra-Africa movement.
Certain countries have distinguished themselves by embracing visa openness in recent years, achieving a remarkable feat of being jointly ranked at the top of the AVOI. Benin and Rwanda have made significant strides by eliminating visa requirements entirely, while others, such as Ghana and Nigeria, have introduced more flexible visa policies to encourage regional travel and tourism.
A particularly notable trend is the rise in intra-African travel where African nationals no longer require a visa. Over the past nine years, the percentage of visa-free travel has increased by 40%, from 20% in 2016 to 28% in 2024. This shift is particularly important in light of the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims to facilitate free movement across the continent. Although there are still challenges, the growing openness of borders suggests a bright
future for intra-African connectivity.
The top 10 visa-friendly African countries that have made the greatest strides between 2016 and 2024:
1. Benin: Visa Openness Index Improvement score: +0.704
2. Ethiopia: Visa Openness Index Improvement score: +0.680
3. Sierra Leone: Visa Openness Index Improvement score: +0.534
4. Nigeria: Visa Openness Index Improvement score: +0.516
5. The Gambia: Visa Openness Index Improvement score: +0.504
6. Ghana: Visa Openness Index Improvement score: +0.498
7. Senegal: Visa Openness Index Improvement score: +0.437
8. Namibia: Visa Openness Index Improvement score: +0.431
9. Angola: Visa Openness Index Improvement score: +0.325
10. Rwanda: Visa Openness Index Improvement score: +0.178
The growing ease of travel within Africa reflects the continent’s increasing global influence. By removing bureaucratic barriers and encouraging open borders, African nations are positioning themselves as attractive destinations for tourists, investors, and business professionals. Countries such as Seychelles and Rwanda, with their visa-free policies, demonstrate the power of liberalisation in attracting international travellers. As the aviation sector continues to expand, Africa is on track to become a major player in global travel and tourism. However, challenges remain, particularly in nations where the benefits of visa openness are yet to be fully realised.
