The 2026 African Passport Ranking, published by IziVisas, reveals dramatic disparities in travel freedom across the continent. Only 10 African passports grant entry to more than 50 destinations without requiring a traditional visa obtained in advance. The index covers 184 destinations and draws on data from official government sources, including foreign ministries, eVisa portals, and Schengen information systems, with figures current as of July 2026.
Seychelles and Mauritius Top the List
Seychelles holds the top position, offering its citizens access to 114 destinations without a prior visa—94 visa-free and 20 via visa on arrival. It is the only African passport to surpass the 100-destination mark and ranks 55th globally. Mauritius follows with access to 105 destinations, while South Africa remains the strongest mainland passport at 81 destinations. Morocco is the only other African country to cross the 60-destination threshold, according to Vanguard.
Median Access and Bottom Performers
The median African passport offers access to just 47 destinations without a prior visa. At the lower end, Somali passport holders can travel to only 27 destinations under the same conditions. This means a citizen of Seychelles can reach more than four times as many countries without first applying for a visa, as reported by Business Insider.
Role of eVisas in Bridging the Gap
One key finding is the growing influence of electronic visa systems. On average, African passport holders can access 41 additional destinations through eVisa platforms, which allow travellers to apply digitally before departure rather than visiting an embassy in person.
Factors Behind the Rankings
The report notes that the strong performance of Seychelles and Mauritius reflects years of bilateral visa-waiver agreements, supported largely by their tourism-dependent economies. In contrast, many of the continent's weaker passports belong to nations where prolonged political instability or conflict has disrupted diplomatic ties and reduced international mobility. Regional integration has also shaped travel access, and the report points to the African Union's Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons as a potential driver of change. Wider ratification of that agreement could meaningfully shift passport strength rankings across the continent in the years ahead.
Canada Halts New Parent Visa Applications
In a separate development, Canada has indefinitely suspended new applications under its Parents and Grandparents Programme (PGP), citing the need to keep the country's immigration system sustainable and properly managed. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed the suspension in an official announcement, stating that no new PGP applications will be accepted until further notice.
