If you have ever travelled, you know that a passport’s power can make or break your journey. Some passports are like golden tickets, granting easy access to countries around the world without the hassle of endless visa applications or embassy queues.
Take Singapore, for example. According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, it holds the title of the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 out of 227 global destinations. Unsurprisingly, the top 10 rankings are heavily dominated by European countries.
In Africa, Seychelles holds the title of the strongest passport for 2025, granting its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 156 countries, ranking 25th globally.
But not all passports are created equal. For millions, holding a passport can also feel more like a limitation than a key to the world.
Across Africa, many countries face the challenge of holding passports that rank low on global mobility indexes. These passports often offer limited access to visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations, leaving citizens to navigate the complexities of international travel with fewer opportunities than their counterparts from nations with “stronger” passports.
Somalia has the least powerful passport in Africa, allowing access to only 35 countries and ranking 102nd globally. Libya and Eritrea follow closely, granting access to 40 and 42 destinations, ranking 100th and 98th, respectively.
Below are the top 10 least powerful passports in Africa in 2025:
| Rank | Passport | Access (countries) | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Somalia |
35 |
102nd |
|
2 |
Libya |
40 |
100th |
|
3 |
Eritrea |
42 |
98th |
|
4 |
Sudan |
43 |
97th |
|
5 |
South Sudan |
44 |
96th |
|
6 |
Nigeria |
46 |
94th |
|
7 |
Ethiopia |
46 |
94th |
|
8 |
Congo (Dem. Rep.) |
46 |
94th |
|
9 |
Djibouti |
49 |
93rd |
|
10 |
Congo (Rep.) |
50 |
92nd |
Alongside the Republic of Congo, which ranks 92nd globally, Cameroon and Burundi also share the same position, with their passports allowing access to 50 destinations.
The disparity in passport strength is largely influenced by a country’s economic standing, international relations, and political stability.
Wealthier, more diplomatically active nations often secure agreements with others, granting their citizens easier access to foreign countries. Conversely, nations with weaker passports often lack such agreements, leaving their citizens with restricted mobility.
