Top 10 African Passports With the Most Visa-Free Access (January 2026)

The Henley Passport Index ranks passports using IATA travel data across 199 passports and 227 destinations. 

It counts visa-free and visa-on-arrival access. Africa’s strongest passport in January 2026 is Seychelles, ranked 24th globally with access to 154 destinations. 

Mauritius is second in Africa, ranked 27th globally with 147 destinations. South Africa is third, ranked 48th globally with 101 destinations.

Globally, Singapore is number one with access to 192 destinations. Japan and South Korea are tied next, with 188 destinations each.

Top 10 African passports (January 2026)

1) Seychelles — 24th globally (154 destinations)
Still Africa’s top passport. Access is down from 156 in 2025, but it remains the continent’s strongest.

2) Mauritius — 27th globally (147 destinations)
Second in Africa. Access fell from 151 in 2025, but its global rank improved.

3) South Africa — 48th globally (101 destinations)
Third in Africa. Access dropped from 106 in 2025. Global rank remains stable.

4) Botswana — 59th globally (81 destinations)
Strong regional mobility. Rank slipped from 57th in 2025.

5) Namibia — 62nd globally (76 destinations)
Access fell from 81 in 2025. Rank stays within the same band.

6) Lesotho — 63rd globally (74 destinations)
Access dropped from 79 in 2025. Global ranking improved slightly.

7) eSwatini — 65th globally (72 destinations)
Access fell from 77 in 2025. Global position unchanged.

8) Morocco — 65th globally (72 destinations)
Tied with eSwatini. Improved from 69th in 2025 and moved up within Africa’s top 10.

9) Malawi — 66th globally (71 destinations)
Slightly down from 2025. Still strong for regional movement.

10) Kenya — 68th globally (69 destinations)
Position unchanged from 2025. Solid regional access.

African passport strength in 2026 is led by island economies and stable regional performers. Seychelles remains first, with the widest access on the continent.