Seychelles passport tops African visa‑free travel list, Mauritius and South Africa follow

A 2026 ranking of African passports shows that only ten passports give holders visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to more than 50 destinations. The Seychelles passport leads with access to 114 destinations (94 visa‑free, 20 visa‑on‑arrival), placing it at 55th globally. Mauritius follows with 105 destinations, South Africa ranks third with 81, while Morocco is the only other African passport exceeding 60 destinations. The median African passport provides entry to 47 destinations, and the Somali passport grants access to just 27.

The index, compiled from official foreign‑ministry data, e‑visa portals and Schengen information covering 184 destinations as of July 2026, highlights a growing role for electronic visas, which on average add about 41 additional destinations to a passport’s reach. The disparity reflects differing bilateral agreements and the tourism‑focused economies of the top‑ranking countries.