Travel openness continues to be a key issue across Africa, with some nations maintaining restrictive visa policies. These limitations impact travel, tourism, and regional integration, affecting trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
While initiatives such as the African Union visa-free travel agreements aim to address these barriers, progress remains slow. Restrictive policies, often linked to security concerns and administrative inefficiencies, hinder the continent’s economic growth and regional cooperation efforts.
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The Henley Openness Index highlights that several African nations rank among the least open globally, showing the need for reforms to enhance connectivity and promote intra-African collaboration.
According to Henley and Partners, here are the Top 10 least open African countries in 2025
1. Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea tops the list as the least open country in Africa, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only three countries. This places it 101st globally in openness.
2. Eritrea
Eritrea follows closely, allowing entry to four countries without requiring a visa in advance. The country ranks 100th in the global index.
3. Libya
Libya offers access to five countries without stringent visa requirements, ranking 99th worldwide.
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4. South Sudan
With six countries on its list of visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations, South Sudan shares the 98th global rank.
5. Algeria
Also ranked 98th globally, Algeria allows entry from six countries under relaxed visa policies.
6. Sudan
Sudan permits visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry for eight countries, placing it 97th on the global openness scale.
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7. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
DRC is tied with Sudan, offering access to eight countries. It ranks 97th globally in openness.
8. Cameroon
Cameroon shares the same rank and openness score as Sudan and DRC, granting entry to eight countries without prior visa requirements.
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9. Gabon
Gabon is slightly more open, allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access for 12 countries. This places it 96th in the global ranking.
10. Liberia
Liberia rounds out the list, granting relaxed visa access to 15 countries. The country holds the 95th position globally.
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