Seychelles leads African nations in 2025 global passport rankings

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The Henley Passport Index, a global authority on passport rankings, has revealed its 2025 list of the most powerful passports worldwide.

• Drawing on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and extensive research, the index ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
• While African nations like Seychelles and Mauritius perform exceptionally well, a stark contrast remains between the continent’s most and least powerful passports.
• For example, war-torn nations such as Somalia and Sudan rank near the bottom, highlighting the impact of geopolitical instability on mobility.

Here’s a look at the top-performing African passports on the Index this year:

In this article

• 1. Seychelles – Rank 25 (156 Visa-Free Destinations)
• 2. Mauritius – Rank 29 (151 Visa-Free Destinations)
• 3. South Africa – Rank 48 (106 Visa-Free Destinations)
• 4. Botswana – Rank 57 (88 Visa-Free Destinations)
• 5. Namibia – Rank 62 (81 Visa-Free Destinations)
• Other Notable Mentions:

1. Seychelles – Rank 25 (156 Visa-Free Destinations)

Seychelles retains its crown as Africa’s most powerful passport with access to 156 visa-free destinations.

2. Mauritius – Rank 29 (151 Visa-Free Destinations)

Mauritius secures second place among African countries with its 151 visa-free destinations making it a standout performer.

3. South Africa – Rank 48 (106 Visa-Free Destinations)

South Africa is ranked 48th globally. Its passport holders can access 106 destinations without a visa.

4. Botswana – Rank 57 (88 Visa-Free Destinations)

Botswana’s passport grants its holders access to 88 destinations.

5. Namibia – Rank 62 (81 Visa-Free Destinations)

Namibia ranks among the top five African countries, offering access to 81 destinations.

Other Notable Mentions:

• Kenya – Rank 68 (74 Visa-Free Destinations): East Africa’s leading passport.
• Ghana – Rank 74 (68 Visa-Free Destinations): Ghana maintains its reputation as a gateway to West Africa with improved access.
• Nigeria – Rank 94 (46 Visa-Free Destinations): Despite challenges, Nigeria’s passport holds significance due to its strategic importance in the region.

African Rank	Country	Global Ranking	Visa-Free Destinations
1	Seychelles	25	156
2	Mauritius	29	151
3	South Africa	48	106
4	Botswana	57	88
5	Namibia	62	81
6	Lesotho	64	79
7	Malawi	67	75
8	Kenya	68	74
9	Morocco	69	73
10	Tanzania	69	73
11	The Gambia	71	71
12 (tie)	Uganda	72	70
12 (tie)	Zambia	72	70
14	Tunisia	73	69
15	Ghana	74	68
16 (tie)	Rwanda	76	66
16 (tie)	Sierra Leone	76	66
18 (tie)	Mozambique	77	65
18 (tie)	Zimbabwe	77	65
20	Madagascar	82	60
21	Côte d’Ivoire	83	59
22	Senegal	84	58
23	Algeria	86	56
24 (tie)	Nigeria	94	46
24 (tie)	Ethiopia	94	46
26	Angola	91	51
27	Burundi	92	50
28	Congo (Dem. Rep.)	94	46

Source:Kenyan wallstreet