The top 10 most powerful passports in Africa in 2023 are Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Kenya and Tanzania
Africa’s most powerful passports
- Seychelles
- Mauritius
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Lesotho
- eSwatini (Swaziland)
- Malawi
- Kenya
- Tanzania
Possessing a mobile passport is probably one of the most underrated but crucial assets in the world today. In a world tilting towards remote work and digitisation, having a mobile passport opens up a new world of opportunities and freedom.
According to the Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without prior visa arrangements, there is a causal relationship between a mobile passport and the ability to travel, foreign investment in a country, increased trade and economic growth.
Although there are other major factors to consider when acquiring a passport such as the quality of life, investment potential and economic potential, mobility remains essential.
The mobility of a passport refers to the number of countries the passport enables you to travel to visa-free. The higher the number of visa-free countries holders can go to, the more powerful the passport is considered.
In Africa, the top 10 passports are Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Kenya and Tanzania.
1. Seychelles
With visa-free access to 151 destinations, Seychelles has the most powerful passport in Africa. This is due in part to the country’s relatively small size and economy, which allows for a more liberal visa policy.
Additionally, Seychelles is a popular tourist destination with a growing economy, which has helped boost its global reputation and diplomatic relationships. The country also has good diplomatic relations and visa-free agreements with many countries around the world.
2. Mauritius
Mauritius has a relatively strong economy, a stable political environment and has invested heavily in its tourism industry, which has helped to boost its global reputation.
It has visa-free access to 146 destinations, partly due to its membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and its strong diplomatic relationships with other countries.
3. South Africa
As one of the most developed and economically powerful countries on the African continent, South Africa has a relatively strong passport with visa-free access to 101 destinations.
In addition, South Africa is a member of the BRICS group of countries, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. This has helped boost its global reputation and diplomatic relationships.
4. Botswana
Botswana is a stable and relatively prosperous country with a strong economy and a growing tourism industry. It has visa-free access to 85 destinations, partly due to its strong diplomatic relationships with other countries and its reputation as a safe and stable travel destination.
5. Namibia
Namibia has a relatively stable and prosperous economy and a growing tourism industry, which has helped to boost its global reputation. It also recently launched a digital nomad visa to attract global tech talents.
It has visa-free access to 82 destinations, partly due to its membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and its strong diplomatic relationships with other countries.
6. Lesotho
Lesotho is a small, landlocked country that is economically dependent on its larger neighbour, South Africa. However, it has managed to maintain relatively stable political and economic conditions, which has helped boost its global reputation. It has visa-free access to 77 destinations, partly due to its strong diplomatic relationships with other countries.
7. Eswatini (Swaziland)
Eswatini is a small, landlocked country that is economically dependent on its larger neighbour, South Africa. However, it has managed to maintain relatively stable political and economic conditions, which has helped to boost its global reputation.
It has visa-free access to 73 destinations, partly due to its membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and its strong diplomatic relationships with other countries.
8. Malawi
Malawi is a relatively small and economically underdeveloped country, but it has managed to maintain relatively stable political and economic conditions, which has helped boost its global reputation.
It has visa-free access to 71 destinations, partly due to its membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and its strong diplomatic relationships with other countries.
9. Kenya
Kenya has a relatively strong economy and a growing tourism industry, which has helped boost its global reputation. It has visa-free access to 71 destinations, partly due to its reputation as a travel destination and its strong diplomatic relationships with other countries.
10. Tanzania
Tanzania has a growing economy and a large tourism industry, which has helped to boost its global reputation. It has visa-free access to 68 destinations, which is partly due to its reputation as a travel destination and its strong diplomatic relationships with other countries.
Source: https://www.benjamindada.com/most-powerful-african-passports-2023/
