Travelling can be difficult, especially as an African, with visa restrictions making some journeys more complicated than others. But as of early 2026, a few countries on the continent offer relatively greater mobility.
- Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 most powerful passports in Africa at the start of 2026.
- The list is courtesy of Henley and Partners
- In Africa, Seychelles leads the way, ranked 24th worldwide, offering entry to 154 countries.
Travel is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but how far your passport can take you makes all the difference.
The Henley Passport Index, which tracks 199 passports and 227 destinations using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), reveals the countries that open the most doors for their citizens.
In Africa, Seychelles leads the way, ranked 24th worldwide, offering entry to 154 countries. Mauritius comes second on the continent with 147 countries and a 27th-place global ranking, while South Africa takes third, with its passport allowing access to 101 countries and ranking 48th globally.
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Globally, Singapore tops the list, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 countries, followed closely by Japan and South Korea, each with access to 188 destinations.
Below are the top 10 most powerful passports in Africa at the start of 2026:
1. Seychelles – 24th
In 2026, Seychelles holds Africa’s strongest passport, ranked 24th globally with visa-free access to 154 countries. This is a slight decline from 2025, when it ranked 25th with access to 156 countries, but it still allows Seychellois citizens easy travel across Europe, Asia, and the Americas for business, tourism, and international engagement.
2. Mauritius – 27th
In 2026, Mauritius holds Africa’s second-strongest passport, ranked 27th globally, offering visa-free access to 147 countries. While the number of accessible countries fell slightly from 151 in 2025, its global ranking has improved.
3. South Africa – 48th
South Africa ranks 48th globally, granting visa-free access to 101 countries. While its rank remains steady, the number of accessible countries has slightly decreased from 106 in 2025.
4. Botswana – 59th
In 2026, Botswana ranks 59th globally, granting visa-free access to 81 countries. While its rank has slightly declined from 57th in 2025, it continues to offer strong regional and continental mobility, particularly within Africa.
5. Namibia – 62nd
Namibia ranks 62nd, offering visa-free arrival access to 76 countries. While the number of accessible countries has decreased from 81 in 2025, its rank remains steady, supporting regional travel and select international opportunities.
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6. Lesotho – 63rd
Lesotho ranks 63rd globally, granting visa-free access to 74 countries. While the number of accessible countries has decreased from 79 in 2025, its ranking slightly improved from 64th,
7. eSwatini – 65th
In 2026, eSwatini ranks 65th globally, offering visa-free access to 72 countries. Although the number of accessible countries decreased from 77 in 2025, its ranking remains unchanged, with mobility strongest within Africa and limited international reach.
8. Morocco – 65th
Morocco ranks 65th globally, offering visa-free access to 72 countries. This improves on its 69th-place ranking in 2025, moving it from Africa’s 10th to 8th-strongest passport. Hosting AFCON likely strengthened travel arrangements and diplomatic agreements, supporting easier mobility across Africa, Europe, and select destinations in Asia.
9. Malawi – 66th
In 2026, Malawi ranks 66th globally, granting visa-free access to 71 countries. While slightly down from 67th in 2025, the passport continues to support regional travel and selective international mobility.
10. Kenya – 68th
In 2026, Kenya ranks 68th globally, offering visa-free access to 69 countries. Its ranking remains steady from 2025, supporting regional and continental mobility, though several international destinations still require visas.
