A new global index has revealed Africa’s most powerful passports for 2025, with Seychelles, Mauritius, and South Africa leading the continent in travel freedom.

The ranking, published by RankBank, assessed passports based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without a prior visa.

Seychelles once again claimed the top spot in Africa, offering its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 150 destinations worldwide. Mauritius followed closely, with access to more than 140 destinations, bolstered by strong diplomatic ties and economic partnerships.

South Africa ranked third, maintaining its position as a regional leader in Southern Africa, despite challenges in domestic governance and economic performance.

Other countries in the top 10 include Botswana, Namibia, Ghana, and Kenya, which have steadily expanded their global mobility through new visa agreements.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, remains outside the top tier, with its passport offering limited travel freedom compared to continental leaders. Analysts say restrictive visa policies against Nigerian travelers remain a challenge, often tied to issues of migration and international trust.

Experts believe that as African nations strengthen diplomatic relations, improve governance, and adopt new regional agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), more countries could see upward movement in future rankings.