Seychelles has retained its title as Africa’s most powerful passport, according to the latest rankings by the Henley Passport Index for 2025. The country also achieved an impressive global ranking of 25th, offering its citizens visa-free access to 156 destinations worldwide.
In second place among African nations is Mauritius, whose passport allows visa-free travel to 151 destinations. South Africa takes the third spot, with access to 106 destinations.
The Henley Passport Index also highlighted significant disparities in travel freedom across the continent. While countries like Seychelles and Mauritius enjoy high levels of global mobility, others—particularly those affected by conflict—face severe restrictions, ranking among the world’s least powerful passports.
These findings emphasize the strong relationship between travel freedom, diplomatic relations, and economic stability. Passports with greater global access often reflect nations with strong international ties and robust governance.
For Africa’s top-ranking countries, these results reaffirm their status as key players on the global stage, while highlighting the potential for travel freedom to act as a catalyst for economic and social development across the continent.
