Nigerian passport holders will gain visa-free access to Chad and the Republic of the Congo starting January 1, 2027, following announcements by both countries to eliminate entry visa requirements for all African nationals. The decisions aim to advance African integration and facilitate the free movement of people and goods across the continent.
Chad's Visa-Free Policy Announced
Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno announced the policy in July 2026, as reported by Vanguard. He stated that the move is intended to promote African integration and ease cross-border movement. Under the new arrangement, Nigerians will be able to enter Chad without obtaining a visa in advance.
The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, made a similar commitment during the 2026 African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings held in Brazzaville. President Denis Sassou Nguesso declared that nationals of all African countries would no longer require a visa to enter his country from January 1, 2027, subject to minimal administrative and security conditions.
Continental Integration and AfCFTA Alignment
Nguesso linked the policy to broader goals of continental integration, describing it as complementary to efforts under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA supports deeper integration through increased mobility for African travellers, and these visa-free policies align with its objectives.
The two countries join a growing list of destinations where Nigerian passport holders can travel without a visa. Existing visa-free destinations for Nigerians include Barbados, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Cook Islands, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kenya, Kiribati, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Mauritius, and Micronesia.
Other Visa-Free and Visa-on-Arrival Destinations
Additional visa-free countries for Nigerians include Montserrat, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, St. Kitts and Nevis, The Gambia, Togo, and Tuvalu. Several other destinations grant Nigerians a visa on arrival, including Burundi, Cambodia, Comoro Islands, Iran, Madagascar, Maldives, Niue, Palau Islands, Samoa, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu.
At least five African nations currently offer visa-free access to Nigerians, with Seychelles, Gambia, and Ghana leading in progressive visa-free policies. Beyond Africa, Nigerian passport holders can explore destinations in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Latin America without visa applications, offering unique experiences and vibrant cultures.
These developments mark a significant step toward easing travel for Nigerians and strengthening regional ties across the continent.
