These are the most visa-friendly countries in Africa in 2023

Visa-friendly countries across Africa are enacting changes in visa policies, paving the way for increased connectivity and economic growth.

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This aligns with the long-term vision of a united and thriving continent. The Africa Visa Openness Index highlights a positive trend as more African visa-friendly countries are simplifying visa requirements and welcoming visitors from across the continent.

48 out of 54 African nations now grant visa-free travel to citizens of at least one other African country.

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THE MOST VISA-FRIENDLY COUNTRIES IN AFRICA

Seychelles

Visa openness score: 1.00
Seychelles maintains a longstanding policy of offering visa-free entry to all African citizens since 2016.
The nation holds the most powerful passport in Africa, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 151 countries and territories for its citizens.
Seychelles has resumed issuing visas to visitors from several countries after a temporary suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benin

Visa openness score: 0.98
Benin adopted a visa openness policy in 2017, aiming to become a tourism hub and a gateway to West Africa.
Known for its rich cultural heritage, Benin is the fifth-largest tourist destination in West Africa, attracting visitors with its voodoo traditions and festivals.

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Senegal

Visa openness score: 0.96
Senegal has experienced a surge in foreign investments post visa openness, with a notable rise from $1.2 billion to $2.4 billion in 2019.
The country has further enhanced its visa openness score by lifting visa requirements for citizens of the Central African Republic, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, emphasising regional integration.

Rwanda

Visa openness score: 0.95
Rwanda has been a pioneer in visa openness since 2013, introducing a visa-on-arrival policy for all African citizens.
Recently, Rwanda launched a groundbreaking visa-free entry policy for all Africans, marking the first such initiative on the continent.

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Ghana

Visa openness score: 0.94
Ghana implemented a visa openness policy in 2016, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and promoting free movement within Africa.
The country’s intentional visa policies support tourism, contributing to its status as the leading medical tourism destination in Africa.

Uganda

Visa openness score: 0.93
Uganda has been actively promoting visa openness since 2014, introducing online visa application systems and a visa-on-arrival policy for all African citizens.
Efforts towards cross-border trade reform, including abolishing visa requirements with the Democratic Republic of Congo, demonstrate Uganda’s commitment to regional integration.

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Guinea-Bissau

Visa openness score: 0.92
Guinea-Bissau has practiced visa openness since 2015 as part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), offering visa-free entry to all but six African countries.
Despite being one of the smallest and least visited countries in Africa, the UN emphasises the potential for tourism to boost Guinea-Bissau’s economy.

Togo

Visa openness score: 0.91
Togo has been facilitating visa openness since 2016, introducing a biometric visa-on-arrival system for all African citizens.
The government’s prioritisation of visa policies aligns with its five-year tourism roadmap, with Togo witnessing significant tourist numbers and revenue generation in recent years.

KENYA PRESIDENT ON SCRAPPING VISITOR VISAS FOR ALL: ‘WELCOME HOME’

Kenya has also said it will end visa requirements for all African visitors by the end of the year, according to Kenyan president William Ruto.

Ruto made the announcement earlier in December and said the Kenya government had developed a digital platform to ensure all visitors would receive electronic travel authorisation in advance.

This digital authorisation would come into effect in January 2023 and would replace the need to apply for a visa.