Seychelles maintains lead as African country with most powerful passport
Seychelles continues to hold the top spot as the African country with the most powerful passport in 2024, according to the latest Henley & Partners Passport Index.
This ranking is based on the number of destinations Seychellois passport holders can access without a prior visa, which currently stands at 156.
The island nation has made significant progress, climbing from the 46th globally in 2006 to its 24th position in 2024.
In Africa, Seychelles is followed by Mauritius, which ranks 28th globally with visa-free access to 150 destinations. South Africa comes next, allowing its citizens to travel to 108 countries without a visa. Other notable mentions include Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho.
Globally, the most powerful passport belongs to Singapore as it offers visa-free access to over 159 destinations. European countries also dominate the top ranks, with Germany, Spain, France, and Italy among the leaders.
A passport's strength reflects a country's global status and citizens' travel freedom.
Henley's ranking is derived from exclusive data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the world's largest and most accurate travel information database, and is further refined by Henley & Partners’ research team. Expert insights on the latest ranking can be found in the Global Mobility Report 2024.
