Based on the newly-released Henley Passport Index, Sputnik Africa lists the 10 African countries which are considered best regarding the possibility of the their citizens to freely enter a certain number of nations without applying for a visa.
In the next spot among the African nations is Botswana (60th position), which offers visa-free travel to 89 countries. It is followed by Namibia, which ranks 64th and offers visa-free travel to 80 nations.
Lesotho is in position 65 and passport-holders can enjoy visa-free travel to 79 nations, while Eswatini is in position 67 offers visa-free travel to 77 countries.
Kenya and Malawi follow Eswatini, ranking 68 and 69; their citizens may travel to 76 and 75 nations without visas, respectively.
Remarkably, the Tanzanian passport, which has been ranked as 9th in Africa, has made a huge jump of seven spots, rising to the 69th position from its prior 76th place in 2022 among the most potent passports in the world.
According to the most recent statistics, people with Tanzanian passports can travel to 73 nations without a visa.
Zambia ranks last among the African top 10 passports' list, placing as Zambians may travel to 71 nations visa-free.
According to Dr. Juerg Steffen, the chief executive of Henley & Partners and the person behind the passport index idea, nations with hospitable, open-door visa policies might aid in establishing relationships with other countries to reap economic rewards.
"Visa policy is a significant lever that governments can use to positively impact and improve their passport’s power, making it even more attractive for foreign investors seeking citizenship or residence through investment opportunities," Steffen noted.
Singapore presently has the most powerful passport in the world, according to the Index, which is based on exclusive and official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Out of 227 tourist locations throughout the world, Singaporeans are permitted to enter 192 of them without a visa. Germany, Italy, and Spain are tied for second place with 190 visa-free locations apiece.
Japan joins a group of six countries, including Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea, and Sweden, that have access to 189 countries without a visa, and is tied for third place.