The Passport index is a yearly ranking of passports based on the number of visa-free countries that a passport holder can visit.
Japan and Singapore have been named the top two countries in the world for 2022, with visa-free access to most countries . A passport holder from these two countries, according to the index, will be able to travel freely without applying for a visa to 192 other countries.
The Passport Index ranking examines 3 factors to determine Passport Power Rank.
1). Mobility Score (MS) – which includes visa-free (VF), visa on arrival (VOA), and eVisa (if issued within 3 days).
2). Investment opportunities and quality of life.
3). United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index, which is a key indicator of a country’s international perception.
African nationals are the travelers in the world who face the most administrative challenges, not only when they plan to travel outside the continent but also within. In this article I present to you the top 5 Most powerful passports In Africa whose holders enjoy the overall travel freedom levels according to Global Passport Power Rank 2022 and data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains the world’s largest and most accurate database of travel information.
Top 5 Most Powerful Passports In Africa
5. Lesotho Passport | Visa Free destinations 77.
Lesotho was previously known as the British Crown Colony of Basutoland, but on October 4, 1966, it declared independence from the United Kingdom. It is now a fully sovereign state that belongs to the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the African Union.
Lesotho’s government is a constitutional monarchy. The Prime Minister is the head of government and possesses executive authority. The King of Lesotho is largely ceremonial; he no longer has executive authority and is barred from actively participating in political initiatives.
Lesotho is a landlocked country in South Africa that is one of the poorest in the world. The country had a 22.8 % HIV prevalence rate among people aged 15 to 49 in 2021, one of the highest in the world. These facts make Lesotho Global Passport Power Rank 2022 remain a mystery.
However, Lesotho’s economy has grown steadily since 1992, and the country’s progress in transitioning from a predominantly subsistence-oriented economy to a lower middle income, diversified economy exporting natural resources and manufacturing goods has resulted in higher, more secure incomes for a significant portion of the population.
The Lesotho passport is ranked 69th in the world by Visa Index, and 64th by the Global Passport Power Rank 2022 with visa-free access to 77 destinations. The list of Visa-free countries is calculated based on the number of countries Lesotho passport holders can enter without a visa, through a visa on arrival, and through the electronic travel authorization (eTA).
Ireland, Australia, Japan and Malaysia are just a few of the powerful and developed countries that Lesotho’s passport holders can visit visa-free.
4. Botswana Passport | Visa Free destinations 87.
Botswana’s economy has grown at a rate of roughly 5% per year over the last decade, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. During the first 30 years of the country’s independence, the private sector employment grew at a rate of approximately 10% per year.
In comparison to some of its neighbors, Botswana’s impressive economic record is based on diamond mining, smart fiscal policies, and a cautious foreign policy. Diamond mining is the backbone of Botswana’s economy. Diamond mining accounts for 50% of the government’s revenue.
Botswana passport is ranked 61 on the Visa Index, and there are 87 visa-free countries accessible with a Botswana passport. The list shows how many countries Botswana passport holders can visit without a visa, with a visa on arrival, or with the electronic travel authorization (eTA).
Among the powerful and developed countries that Botswana Passport holders can access visa free include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Russia, Turkey, Singapore and Malaysia among many others.
3. South Africa Passport | Visa Free destinations 103.
South Africa’s economy is the third largest in Africa and the most industrialized, technologically advanced, and diverse in the continent. South Africa is one of only eight African countries with an upper-middle-income economy.
Although the natural resource extraction industry remains one of the country’s largest, contributing US$13.5 billion to GDP annually, South Africa’s economy has diversified since the end of apartheid, with a focus on services. The financial sector contributed $41.4 billion to South Africa’s GDP in 2019.
South African passport holders can enter a total of 103 countries without a visa, or with a visa on arrival.
Among the powerful and developed countries that South Africa Passport holders can access visa free include Ireland, Russia and Malaysia many others.
2. Mauritius Passport | Visa Free destinations 148
The Republic of Mauritius is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean around 2,000 kilometers off the African continent’s southeast coast. This beautiful African country enjoys visa-free travel to 148 countries around the world.
Mauritius’ economy is a diversified developing economy with agriculture, exports, financial services, and tourism as its foundation. Mauritius’ government has been working to diversify the country’s economy away from its reliance on agriculture, particularly sugar production, since the 1980s.
Mauritius is one of the most successful democracies in the developing world, with a well-developed legal and commercial infrastructure, as well as a tradition of entrepreneurship and representative governance.
The Mauritius passport offers access to the majority of the world’s major economies, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Singapore, Japan, and China, among others.
1. Seychelles Passport | Visa Free destinations 154
A Seychelles passport is Africa’s most powerful passport. Seychelles Passport entitles you to visa-free travel to 154 countries around the world. It is also ranked 27th on the list of the world’s most powerful passports. Victoria is the country’s capital and largest city. The official languages of Seychelles are English, French, and Seychellois creole. In addition, the country has the highest nominal GDP per capita in Africa. Seychelles is also Africa’s most popular tourist destination.
Among the powerful and developed countries that Seychelles Passport holders can access visa free include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom, South Africa, China, Singapore and many others.