The Henley Openness Index, which ranks 199 countries and territories based on the number of nationalities they allow entry without a prior visa, shows that many African nations still lag in facilitating seamless cross-border travel.
This limited openness stands in contrast to the ambitions of regional frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aim to boost intra-African trade, economic collaboration, and mobility.
Restrictive visa regimes undermine these goals by creating barriers to business, tourism, and the free movement of skilled labor which are key components of economic development.
In addition to slowing commerce, such policies also restrict cultural exchange and youth mobility across the continent.
Given that Africa’s youth make up the majority of its population and are vital to driving innovation and growth, easing travel restrictions is not just a diplomatic imperative but an economic one.
Least open African countries as of July 2025
The latest data from Henley’s Openness Index reveals the top 10 African countries with the least number of nationalities granted visa-free or visa-on-arrival access.
These nations maintain some of the most restrictive entry policies on the continent, limiting mobility for travelers, investors, and professionals alike.
| Rank | Country | Rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Equatorial Guinea |
101st |
3 |
|
2 |
Eritrea |
100th |
4 |
|
3 |
Libya |
99th |
5 |
|
4 |
South Sudan |
98th |
6 |
|
5 |
Algeria |
98th |
6 |
|
6 |
Congo (Dem. Rep.) |
97th |
7 |
|
7 |
Sudan |
96th |
8 |
|
8 |
Cameroon |
96th |
8 |
|
9 |
Mauritania |
95th |
11 |
|
10 |
Gabon |
94th |
12 |
As of mid-2025, several African nations remain among the world’s least open in terms of visa-free access, limiting regional mobility and economic integration.
Equatorial Guinea ranks the lowest on the continent, allowing visa-free entry to just 3 countries, with an openness score of 1.52%.
Eritrea follows with access to 4 nationalities (2.02%), while Libya permits 5 (2.53%).
Algeria allows entry from only 6 countries (3.03%), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) grants visa-free access to 7 (3.54%).
As Africa pushes toward greater unity and economic convergence, the need for liberalized travel regimes is becoming increasingly urgent.
Experts and policymakers have repeatedly called for harmonized visa systems and mutual recognition frameworks to facilitate seamless travel across the continent.
Until these changes are widely adopted, however, visa restrictions will continue to impede the continent’s broader ambitions for integration, prosperity, and global competitiveness.
