Nigerians seeking international travel opportunities without the hassle of visa applications have reason to celebrate as the latest Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) has revealed a list of 17 countries that Nigerian passport holders can visit without requiring a visa. The report, which assesses visa accessibility across the continent, also highlights Nigeria’s significant rise in visa progress, moving from the 25th position in 2016 to an impressive sixth place in 2024.
The newly released report names 17 African countries that allow Nigerians entry without a visa, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, and Sierra Leone. This expansion of visa-free access reflects growing regional cooperation and ease of movement within Africa, positioning Nigeria among the top countries facilitating travel for its citizens.
Additionally, the report identifies 36 countries offering visa-on-arrival options for Nigerian passport holders, further broadening travel possibilities. These countries include Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Comoros, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, and Kenya. Others on the list are Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The Africa Visa Openness Index highlights the ongoing shift toward greater travel freedom within the continent. In a major development, Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Seychelles now grant visa-free access to all Africans, an initiative aimed at fostering stronger economic and social ties across borders. According to the report, 28 percent of intra-African travel scenarios now allow African citizens to cross borders without a visa—an improvement from 20 percent in 2016.
The report also notes the expansion of electronic visa (e-visa) accessibility across the continent. In 2016, only nine African nations (17 percent of the continent) offered e-visas. By 2024, that number had increased to 26 countries, representing 44 percent of Africa. This development indicates a growing commitment among African nations to streamline entry procedures and facilitate easier cross-border movement.
Since the index’s inception in 2016, 39 African countries have improved their visa openness scores, with West Africa leading the way. Of the 10 most improved nations, six are from West Africa, two are from East Africa, and two are from Southern Africa. Notably, nine of the top 20 ranked countries are classified as low-income nations, while another nine belong to the lower-middle-income category, demonstrating that economic constraints have not hindered their commitment to easing travel restrictions.
Nigeria’s dramatic rise to the sixth position in the visa openness ranking is among the most notable achievements. Other countries that have significantly improved their scores include Benin, which moved from 31st place to first, Ethiopia (from 46th to 19th), Sierra Leone (from 32nd to 13th), and The Gambia (from 18th to first). These nations have demonstrated a clear commitment to expanding visa-free and visa-on-arrival access, positioning themselves as leaders in Africa’s push for greater travel flexibility.
The report also highlights a remarkable 40 percent increase in visa-free travel scenarios across Africa since 2016. In 2016, only 20 percent of intra-African travel scenarios allowed visa-free access. By 2024, this number had risen to 28 percent, representing the highest level of visa-free access recorded since the index’s launch. This progress underscores Africa’s continued efforts toward integrating its economies and fostering easier mobility for its citizens.
Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. While visa-free and visa-on-arrival options have increased, the percentage of travel scenarios requiring visas ahead of travel remains relatively high, albeit decreasing. In 2016, 55 percent of intra-African travel scenarios required a visa before travel. By 2024, this figure had dropped to 47 percent, indicating progress, though there is still room for improvement.
The push for greater visa openness is expected to enhance trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges across the continent. Countries that have embraced visa-free and visa-on-arrival policies are likely to see increased economic activity and strengthened diplomatic relations. The progress made so far signals a promising future for intra-African travel, reducing barriers that have historically hindered movement and economic collaboration among African nations.
As Nigeria continues its upward trajectory in visa openness rankings, its citizens can look forward to more seamless travel experiences across Africa. The growing acceptance of visa-free travel and visa-on-arrival policies not only benefits individual travelers but also strengthens regional cooperation, economic integration, and Africa’s overall global competitiveness.
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