Top 10 African passports for 2024 revealed

Henley & Partners have revealed their ranking for the world’s most influential passports in 2024, according to Africa news on January 11^th.

The list weighs passport strength by visa-free access to countries utilizing International Air Transport Association (IATA) data.

Japan and Singapore share the top spot with EU members: Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, each with 194 out of 227 destinations, while South Korea slipped into 2^nd place.

Europe dominated the rankings with 27 member-states spread across the top 10 positions. Australia and New Zealand claim 6^th place with 189 destinations, just ahead of the US’s 188.

Jumping 3 places from 2023, the top African country on the list is the Seychelles with visa-free access to 156 destinations closely followed by Mauritius, in 30^th place with 150.

The next African state, South Africa, is down in 53^rd position followed by Botswana (59^th), Lesotho and Namibia (65^th), and Eswatini at 66^th.

East Africa’s Kenya and Malawi share 67^th place, followed by Tanzania at 69^th and the Maghreb’s Morocco and Tunisia come 71^st with Zambia.

READ: Morocco and Israel discuss visa waiver project

As in 2023, West Africa’s top state is Gambia at 72^nd, having jumped 5 places ahead of Cape Verde and Uganda.

Somalia retains its unenviable 99^th place, with a mere 36 destinations.

Here are Africa’s top 10 passports:

Seychelles (156 destinations)

Maurice (150)

South Africa (108)

Botswana (91)

Lesotho and Namibia (80)

Eswatini (78)