The ranking of the strongest passports in Africa for 2026 has drawn significant attention from travelers, tourism companies, and global institutions following the release of the latest update of the Henley Passport Index, widely regarded as the leading global benchmark for measuring passport strength based on travel freedom and visa-free access worldwide.
The Henley Index evaluates passports according to the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa, including countries that allow entry visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or through an electronic travel authorization. The index therefore provides a precise measure of global mobility and international travel access.
In the following report, Afro News reviews the ranking of the most powerful African passports in 2026, alongside the global positions of Egypt and Sudan, as well as the weakest passport in Africa according to the latest classification.
Seychelles Tops Africa’s Strongest Passport Ranking
The Seychelles passport ranked first among African passports in 2026, placing 23rd globally according to the Henley Passport Index. Holders of the Seychelles passport enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 155 destinations worldwide, maintaining its position as the strongest passport on the African continent.
Top 10 Strongest African Passports in 2026
The latest Henley Index ranking placed African passports as follows:
- Mauritius ranked second in Africa and 25th globally, granting access to 148 destinations without a prior visa.
- South Africa came third in Africa and 47th worldwide, with access to 100 destinations visa-free.
- Botswana ranked fourth in Africa and 56th globally, allowing entry to 82 destinations without a prior visa.
- Namibia placed fifth in Africa and 60th worldwide, with visa-free access to 76 destinations.
- Lesotho ranked sixth in Africa and 61st globally, granting access to 74 destinations without a visa.
- Eswatini came seventh in Africa and 62nd worldwide, allowing entry to 72 destinations without prior visas.
- Morocco ranked eighth in Africa, also 62nd globally, with access to 72 destinations visa-free.
- Malawi placed ninth in Africa and 63rd worldwide, allowing entry to 71 destinations without a visa.
- Kenya, Tanzania, and The Gambia jointly ranked tenth in Africa and 64th globally, each providing access to 69 destinations without prior visa requirements.
Egypt and Sudan’s Global Passport Rankings
According to the same index, the Egyptian passport ranked 81st globally, allowing its holders to travel to 50 destinations without obtaining a prior visa.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese passport and the South Sudanese passport jointly ranked 89th worldwide, each granting access to 41 destinations without a prior visa.
Somalia Holds the Weakest Passport in Africa
At the lower end of the ranking, the Somali passport placed last among African countries and ranked 96th globally, allowing access to only 33 destinations without a prior visa, making it the weakest passport in Africa according to the 2026 Henley Index.
It was preceded by the Eritrean passport, which ranked 92nd globally, with visa-free access to 38 destinations.
What Is the Henley Passport Index?
The Henley Passport Index is considered the only global ranking of its kind based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The index evaluates 199 passports against 227 travel destinations worldwide.
Updated monthly, the index serves as a key reference tool for governments, institutions, and global citizens assessing passport strength and international mobility levels.
How Passport Strength Is Calculated
The Henley Index applies a clear scoring system to determine passport rankings:
- A passport receives one point when no visa is required to enter a destination.
- One point is also granted if travelers can obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor permit, or an electronic travel authorization.
- A passport receives zero points if a visa must be obtained in advance or if prior government approval is required before departure.
Through this methodology, the Henley Passport Index provides a comprehensive and standardized assessment of global travel freedom, making it one of the most influential indicators of passport power worldwide.
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