Nigeria, Rwanda among 34 African countries hit as Ecuador revokes visa-free transit

Ecuador has announced the cancellation of visa-free transit privileges for citizens of 45 nations, including 34 African countries, in a significant tightening of its immigration and border control policies.

• Ecuador has abolished visa-free airport transit privileges for citizens of 45 countries, including 34 African nations.
• Travelers from these nations must now obtain a Transit Visa to transit through Ecuadorian airports.
• Nigeria, Rwanda, and Ghana are some of the 34 African countries affected, making the continent the most impacted region

Under the new directive abolishing visa-free transit privileges, travelers from the affected African countries will now require a Transit Visa (Visa de Transeúnte) to transit through Ecuadorian airports, regardless of whether they remain within the international zone.

Previously, citizens of these countries could transit without a visa if they stayed within the international transit area without clearing immigration or customs; however, this exemption has been revoked.

According to Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, the measure aims to enhance transit regulations and address growing security concerns related to irregular migration.

This policy change will particularly affect travelers making international stopovers in Ecuador en route to destinations across the American continent.

African Nations Hit the Hardest

Out of the 45 affected, 34 are Africa countries, making the continent the most impacted by the policy change. Citizens from the following African countries will now require a transit visa:

1. Nigeria
2. Ghana
3. Egypt
4. Sudan
5. Ethiopia
6. Eritrea
7. Somalia
8. Democratic Republic of Congo
9. Republic of Congo
10. Cameroon
11. Liberia
12. Sierra Leone
13. Guinea
14. Guinea-Bissau
15. The Gambia
16. Senegal
17. Togo
18. Benin
19. Mali
20. Niger
21. Burkina Faso
22. Chad
23. Central African Republic
24. Angola
25. Mozambique
26. Zimbabwe
27. Zambia
28. Rwanda
29. Burundi
30. Uganda
31. Algeria
32. Morocco
33. Tunisia
34. South Sudan.

With Ecuador serving as a common transit point to the global north, particularly EU and the US, for many from Africa and Global South, the new rule is expected to disrupt travel itineraries, raise travel costs, and redirect flight routes for affected passengers.

This policy change reflects a broader trend of nations tightening immigration requirements in response to rising global migration flows and associated security risks, with African migrants being disproportionately affected the most.

Olamilekan Okebiorun