African citizens are paying some of the highest fees in the world for international passports, even as activists and policymakers call for a more unified continental immigration strategy.
- Business Insider Africa presents the 9 African countries where citizens pay the highest passport fees.
- The list is courtesy of Henley Passport Index.
- Several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, have recently revised their passport fees to account for administrative and production costs.
African citizens are paying some of the highest fees in the world for international passports, even as activists and policymakers call for a more unified continental immigration strategy.
In many cases, these travel documents offer limited global mobility, with most countries outside Africa imposing additional restrictions or higher charges for acceptance.
Across Africa, passports remain costly and often out of reach. Fee increases sometimes reflect government policies that unintentionally or deliberately discourage travel.
Despite the growing importance of global mobility for trade, education, and work, many nations charge fees that consume months of income while offering limited visa-free access.
According to the Henley Passport Index (Q3 2025) and recent government updates, Nigeria will be ranked alongside other nations with high passport costs, including Cameroon ($181), DR Congo ($178), and Zimbabwe ($170).
The fees pose a significant burden, especially considering the stark contrast with monthly minimum wages, which range from $46 in Nigeria to $90 in DR Congo, underscoring a notable affordability gap.
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Summary of passport costs across 9 African countries
| Country | Passport fee (USD) | Minimum Wage (USD/ Month) | Henley Passport Index Q3 2025 Rank | Visa-free Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sudan | $100 | $60 | 92nd | 41 |
| Cameroon | $181 | $80 | 85th | 49 |
| Zimbabwe | $170 | $75 | 73rd | 65 |
| Nigeria | $65–$131 | $46 | 88th | 45 |
| Algeria | $137 | $190 | 81st | 55 |
| Uganda | $70 | $86 | 70th | 70 |
| Dr Congo | $178 | $90 | 90th | 43 |
| Sierra Leone | $100 | $75 | 72nd | 65 |
| Equatorial Guinea | $137 | $110 | 80th | 56 |
Several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, have recently revised their passport fees to account for administrative and production costs.
While these updates aim to standardise fees and improve service delivery, they remain high relative to average earnings.
In Nigeria, the Immigration Service announced that effective September 1, 2025, citizens will pay ₦100,000 ($65) for a 32-page passport, ₦150,000 ($97) for a 64-page passport, and ₦200,000 ($130) for diplomatic passports, even as nearly half of Nigerians earn less than $31 per month, making international travel a costly undertaking.
In Ghana, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, recently announced a reduction in the cost of ordinary passport booklets from GH₵500 to GH₵350, easing the financial burden on citizens.
In Zimbabwe, the standard passport fee rose from $120 to $150, while in Kenya, the cost of a standard passport increased from Sh4,500 to Sh7,500, reflecting broader government adjustments.
Similar economic pressures persist in DR Congo and Cameroon, where citizens often spend multiple months’ wages to secure travel documents, highlighting the financial barriers many Africans face in accessing international mobility.
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By contrast, countries such as South Africa, Mauritius, and Seychelles combine moderate passport fees with higher minimum wages and broader visa-free access, granting citizens comparatively greater mobility. South Africa’s passport allows entry to 103 destinations, Mauritius to 149, and Seychelles to 156.
Globally, passports in countries such as Singapore, Japan, and Germany highlight a stark contrast with much of Africa. Singaporeans pay approximately $50 for a passport, earn around $3,300 per month, and can travel to 192 destinations without a visa.
Japan ranks first globally, offering visa-free access to 193 destinations, while passports cost about $100, and the average monthly wage is $2,500.
Germany charges roughly $275 for a passport, yet with an average monthly income of $4,300, its citizens enjoy visa-free access to 190 destinations. These figures underscore how passport affordability, relative to income, dramatically affects global mobility, a reality many African nations continue to struggle with.
The consequences of high passport fees are profound. Limited access restricts participation in international education, cross-border trade, and employment, reinforcing cycles of inequality. Analysts warn that without reforms to reduce fees and expand visa-free access, millions of Africans will continue to face barriers to global opportunity.
Olamilekan Okebiorun
