Seychelles passport most powerful in Africa in 2024 By Laura Pillay |15 January 2024
Seychelles tops the list as the African country with the most influential passport, according to the Henley & Partners 2024 rankings
Seychelles tops the list as the African country with the most influential passport, according to the Henley & Partners 2024 rankings.
The rankings, based on data of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), are reflective of passport power through visa-free entry privileges to different countries.
Seychelles is 26th worldwide, with 156 visa-free destinations. This is three steps up from 29th rank, in 2023.
In fact, the island-nation has made significant progress over the years, steadily climbing up the ranks, from 46th position worldwide in 2006. It was also ranked in 26th position in both 2014 and 2019, making it to the 25th position in 2018.
As per the rankings, which was unveiled over the New Year, Seychelles passport holders are required to seek visas for 70 destinations, including Canada, India, Japan and Iraq. The Henley & Partners rankings also include Israel as a destination where Seychellois travellers are required to seek a visa permitting entry, although this has since changed, with the signing of the visa exemption accord between the two nations on January 11. The agreement, which allows both nations to benefit from visa-free access, further strengthens Seychelles’ passport power.
Aside from Seychelles, Uruguay is also ranked 26th.
From a regional perspective, Mauritius is in 30th position, with visa-free access to 150 of 226 destinations. The neighbouring tourism destination was ranked 34th in 2023. With only 60 visa-free destinations, Madagascar ranks in 82nd position.
Interestingly, countries in continental Africa are ranked in 53rd position and lower. South Africa enjoys visa-free access in 108 countries, while Botswana is ranked in 59th position. Lesotho and Namibia both rank 65th globally, while eSwatini is this year placed 66th worldwide.
Kenya and Malawi share 67th position while Tanzania is in 69th position, with visa-free access in 73 countries. Tanzania also completes the list for the top ten most powerful passports in Africa.
Similarly to previous years, European countries dominate the ranking, with 27 countries among the top ten ranks.
France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, alongside Japan and Singapore, boast the world's most influential passports among European Union member states. Citizens of these six nations enjoy visa-free access to 194 out of 227 global destinations. For the past five years, Japan and Singapore have consistently secured the top spot in the passport index which evaluates passports based on the number of destinations accessible without the need for a prior visa.
South Korea has joined Finland and Sweden, securing the second position with visa-free travel privileges to 193 destinations. Additionally, four EU nations—Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands—share the third position, boasting access to 192 destinations.
The United Kingdom has ascended two spots to claim the fourth position, with visa-free entry in 191 destinations, a notable increase from the previous year's 188.
Passport holders from Australia and New Zealand have both advanced their rankings, now holding the 6th position with access to 189 destinations. The United States maintains its 7th position.