Passport Privilege: Comparing African Travel Freedom with Global Standards

The freedom to travel is often taken for granted, yet for many African citizens, it remains an elusive privilege. In recent years, a disturbing trend has emerged: the increasing use of visa restrictions to curtail migration from African nations. This practice, rooted in systemic racism and discriminatory policies, has created significant barriers for African travelers, regardless of their purpose – be it tourism, business, education, or family visits.

The challenges faced by African travelers extend far beyond mere inconvenience. They represent a complex web of geopolitical, economic, and social issues that reflect deep-seated inequalities in the global system. From exorbitant visa fees to opaque application processes and invasive border checks, African citizens encounter numerous obstacles that their counterparts from other continents often do not face.

This blog post aims to shed light on the injustices and racism experienced by Africans at embassies and entry borders worldwide. We will explore the multifaceted nature of these discriminatory practices, examining their impact on individuals, economies, and international relations. By presenting comprehensive visa information for each African country, we hope to illustrate the stark disparities in global mobility and the urgent need for reform.

Key issues we will address include:

1. The growing trend of visa restrictions targeting African nations
2. The economic impact of exploitative visa application fees
3. The expansion of discriminatory practices beyond Europe to Asian countries
4. Statistical evidence of visa rejection rates for African applicants
5. The experiences of African travelers at border security checkpoints
6. A detailed breakdown of visa requirements and travel freedoms for each African country

As we delve into these topics, it’s crucial to recognize that these issues are not just abstract policies but have real, profound effects on millions of lives. They hinder cultural exchange, impede economic growth, and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. By examining these practices critically, we hope to contribute to a broader conversation about equality, dignity, and the right to free movement in our increasingly interconnected world.

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Chapter 1: The Rising Tide of Visa Restrictions

In recent years, a troubling trend has emerged in global migration policies: the increasing use of visa restrictions to limit travel from African nations. This phenomenon has made international travel for leisure or business nearly impossible for many African citizens unless they possess substantial financial resources. Even for those with well-funded bank accounts, systemic barriers persist, preventing African citizens from enjoying the same freedom of global movement afforded to others.

Rather than explicitly stating their reluctance to welcome African travelers, some countries have implemented visa application rules so stringent that they are virtually impossible to meet. These nations often impose exorbitant visa application fees, fully aware that these fees are non-refundable. As a result, visa rejections have become a lucrative venture, profiting from the aspirations and necessities of African travelers.

Chapter 2: The Spread of Discriminatory Practices

Historically, blatantly racist practices against African nations were primarily associated with European countries. However, in recent years, several Asian nations have adopted similar discriminatory policies, joining their European counterparts in profiting from these unjust practices.

A recent report by the Lago Collective, a think-tank focusing on migration, revealed that in 2023, the European Union generated more than €53 million ($58 million; £45 million) from rejected visa applications from African countries alone. This staggering figure underscores the scale of the issue and its economic implications.

Chapter 3: Rising Costs and Declining Opportunities

The financial burden on African travelers continues to grow. In June 2024, the price of Schengen short-term visas increased from €80 to €90 for adults. Similarly, in October 2023, the UK visa fee rose from £100 to £115. These incremental increases may seem minor, but they represent significant barriers for many African travelers, especially when combined with the high likelihood of rejection.

The Lago Collective report also highlighted a disturbing statistic: nearly one-third of Africans applying for a visa to the Schengen area were rejected, a rate significantly higher than the global average. This disparity raises serious questions about the equity and fairness of the current visa system.

Chapter 4: The Border Experience

Even when visas are approved, the challenges for African travelers do not end. Many report uncomfortable and unwelcoming experiences at border security checkpoints. African travelers often face extraordinary scrutiny at entry points, with some even being repatriated to their countries of origin – a trend that has become disturbingly commonplace in European and Asian countries.

Chapter 5: A Deeper Look at Visa Policies

This post aims to provide a comprehensive examination of visa restrictions, analyzing the number of visa-free entries and visas on arrival granted to citizens of each African country worldwide, excluding intra-African travel. We will explore passport rankings, the number of countries each African passport holder can visit without a visa, the issuance of e-Visas, and the visa requirements for African citizens.

For each African country, we will provide:

• Passport Rankings
• Number of countries accessible without a visa
• List of countries that accept e-visas
• Countries that issue visas on arrival
• Countries with visa requirements

It’s important to note that these rankings and numbers can fluctuate based on changing policies and agreements. We encourage readers to click on each country for more in-depth information on the above-listed details.

The data presented here is based on the most recent available information as of April 2024. Always check with official sources for the most current visa requirements before planning travel.

Algeria
Passport Ranking: 92
Visa-Free Countries: 51
eVisa Issuance: 17
Visa on Arrival: 28
Traditional Visa Requirements: 104

Angola
Passport Ranking: 88
Visa-Free Countries: 50
eVisa Issuance: 24
Visa on Arrival: 7
Traditional Visa Requirements: 119

Benin
Passport Ranking: 81
Visa-Free Countries: 61
eVisa Issuance: 22
Visa on Arrival: 16
Traditional Visa Requirements: 101

Botswana
Passport Ranking: 67
Visa-Free Countries: 85
eVisa Issuance: 19
Visa on Arrival: 2
Traditional Visa Requirements: 94

Burkina Faso
Passport Ranking: 86
Visa-Free Countries: 57
eVisa Issuance: 15
Visa on Arrival: 21
Traditional Visa Requirements: 107

Burundi
Passport Ranking: 95
Visa-Free Countries: 47
eVisa Issuance: 11
Visa on Arrival: 25
Traditional Visa Requirements: 117

Cameroon
Passport Ranking: 93
Visa-Free Countries: 49
eVisa Issuance: 14
Visa on Arrival: 15
Traditional Visa Requirements: 122

Cape Verde
Passport Ranking: 73
Visa-Free Countries: 66
eVisa Issuance: 28
Visa on Arrival: 31
Traditional Visa Requirements: 75

Central African Republic
Passport Ranking: 98
Visa-Free Countries: 48
eVisa Issuance: 9
Visa on Arrival: 18
Traditional Visa Requirements: 125

Chad
Passport Ranking: 96
Visa-Free Countries: 49
eVisa Issuance: 12
Visa on Arrival: 14
Traditional Visa Requirements: 125

Comoros
Passport Ranking: 89
Visa-Free Countries: 52
eVisa Issuance: 21
Visa on Arrival: 24
Traditional Visa Requirements: 103

Congo
Passport Ranking: 91
Visa-Free Countries: 51
eVisa Issuance: 16
Visa on Arrival: 19
Traditional Visa Requirements: 114

Democratic Republic of Congo
Passport Ranking: 99
Visa-Free Countries: 44
eVisa Issuance: 13
Visa on Arrival: 21
Traditional Visa Requirements: 122

Djibouti
Passport Ranking: 90
Visa-Free Countries: 52
eVisa Issuance: 25
Visa on Arrival: 33
Traditional Visa Requirements: 90

Egypt
Passport Ranking: 94
Visa-Free Countries: 50
eVisa Issuance: 26
Visa on Arrival: 15
Traditional Visa Requirements: 109

Equatorial Guinea
Passport Ranking: 87
Visa-Free Countries: 56
eVisa Issuance: 18
Visa on Arrival: 12
Traditional Visa Requirements: 114

Eritrea
Passport Ranking: 100
Visa-Free Countries: 41
eVisa Issuance: 10
Visa on Arrival: 16
Traditional Visa Requirements: 133

Ethiopia
Passport Ranking: 97
Visa-Free Countries: 44
eVisa Issuance: 29
Visa on Arrival: 2
Traditional Visa Requirements: 125

Gabon
Passport Ranking: 82
Visa-Free Countries: 59
eVisa Issuance: 23
Visa on Arrival: 30
Traditional Visa Requirements: 88

Gambia
Passport Ranking: 75
Visa-Free Countries: 68
eVisa Issuance: 20
Visa on Arrival: 29
Traditional Visa Requirements: 83

Ghana
Passport Ranking: 79
Visa-Free Countries: 65
eVisa Issuance: 22
Visa on Arrival: 12
Traditional Visa Requirements: 101

Guinea
Passport Ranking: 85
Visa-Free Countries: 57
eVisa Issuance: 14
Visa on Arrival: 18
Traditional Visa Requirements: 111

Guinea-Bissau
Passport Ranking: 84
Visa-Free Countries: 56
eVisa Issuance: 13
Visa on Arrival: 21
Traditional Visa Requirements: 110

Ivory Coast
Passport Ranking: 83
Visa-Free Countries: 58
eVisa Issuance: 21
Visa on Arrival: 35
Traditional Visa Requirements: 86

Kenya
Passport Ranking: 72
Visa-Free Countries: 72
eVisa Issuance: 26
Visa on Arrival: 31
Traditional Visa Requirements: 71

Lesotho
Passport Ranking: 74
Visa-Free Countries: 74
eVisa Issuance: 17
Visa on Arrival: 28
Traditional Visa Requirements: 81

Liberia
Passport Ranking: 93
Visa-Free Countries: 49
eVisa Issuance: 15
Visa on Arrival: 22
Traditional Visa Requirements: 114

Libya
Passport Ranking: 101
Visa-Free Countries: 38
eVisa Issuance: 11
Visa on Arrival: 5
Traditional Visa Requirements: 146

Madagascar
Passport Ranking: 86
Visa-Free Countries: 55
eVisa Issuance: 24
Visa on Arrival: 34
Traditional Visa Requirements: 87

Malawi
Passport Ranking: 76
Visa-Free Countries: 72
eVisa Issuance: 19
Visa on Arrival: 28
Traditional Visa Requirements: 81

Mali
Passport Ranking: 88
Visa-Free Countries: 54
eVisa Issuance: 16
Visa on Arrival: 20
Traditional Visa Requirements: 110

Mauritania
Passport Ranking: 89
Visa-Free Countries: 54
eVisa Issuance: 18
Visa on Arrival: 15
Traditional Visa Requirements: 113

Mauritius
Passport Ranking: 33
Visa-Free Countries: 146
eVisa Issuance: 31
Visa on Arrival: 16
Traditional Visa Requirements: 7

Morocco
Passport Ranking: 80
Visa-Free Countries: 63
eVisa Issuance: 25
Visa on Arrival: 30
Traditional Visa Requirements: 82

Mozambique
Passport Ranking: 85
Visa-Free Countries: 60
eVisa Issuance: 22
Visa on Arrival: 32
Traditional Visa Requirements: 86

Namibia
Passport Ranking: 69
Visa-Free Countries: 78
eVisa Issuance: 24
Visa on Arrival: 33
Traditional Visa Requirements: 65

Niger
Passport Ranking: 91
Visa-Free Countries: 53
eVisa Issuance: 14
Visa on Arrival: 19
Traditional Visa Requirements: 114

Nigeria
Passport Ranking: 95
Visa-Free Countries: 46
eVisa Issuance: 22
Visa on Arrival: 25
Traditional Visa Requirements: 107

Rwanda
Passport Ranking: 84
Visa-Free Countries: 57
eVisa Issuance: 30
Visa on Arrival: 38
Traditional Visa Requirements: 75

Sao Tome and Principe
Passport Ranking: 71
Visa-Free Countries: 71
eVisa Issuance: 26
Visa on Arrival: 35
Traditional Visa Requirements: 68

Senegal
Passport Ranking: 82
Visa-Free Countries: 61
eVisa Issuance: 21
Visa on Arrival: 29
Traditional Visa Requirements: 89

Seychelles
Passport Ranking: 29
Visa-Free Countries: 152
eVisa Issuance: 29
Visa on Arrival: 14
Traditional Visa Requirements: 5

Sierra Leone
Passport Ranking: 90
Visa-Free Countries: 54
eVisa Issuance: 17
Visa on Arrival: 24
Traditional Visa Requirements: 105

Somalia
Passport Ranking: 103
Visa-Free Countries: 33
eVisa Issuance: 9
Visa on Arrival: 28
Traditional Visa Requirements: 130

South Africa
Passport Ranking: 54
Visa-Free Countries: 104
eVisa Issuance: 27
Visa on Arrival: 27
Traditional Visa Requirements: 42

South Sudan
Passport Ranking: 102
Visa-Free Countries: 39
eVisa Issuance: 10
Visa on Arrival: 13
Traditional Visa Requirements: 138

Sudan
Passport Ranking: 98
Visa-Free Countries: 42
eVisa Issuance: 12
Visa on Arrival: 11
Traditional Visa Requirements: 135

Swaziland (Eswatini)
Passport Ranking: 70
Visa-Free Countries: 74
eVisa Issuance: 20
Visa on Arrival: 31
Traditional Visa Requirements: 75

Tanzania
Passport Ranking: 73
Visa-Free Countries: 71
eVisa Issuance: 28
Visa on Arrival: 33
Traditional Visa Requirements: 68

Togo
Passport Ranking: 84
Visa-Free Countries: 58
eVisa Issuance: 19
Visa on Arrival: 25
Traditional Visa Requirements: 98

Tunisia
Passport Ranking: 74
Visa-Free Countries: 71
eVisa Issuance: 23
Visa on Arrival: 37
Traditional Visa Requirements: 69

Uganda
Passport Ranking: 77
Visa-Free Countries: 67
eVisa Issuance: 27
Visa on Arrival: 36
Traditional Visa Requirements: 70

Zambia
Passport Ranking: 75
Visa-Free Countries: 72
eVisa Issuance: 25
Visa on Arrival: 35
Traditional Visa Requirements: 68

Zimbabwe
Passport Ranking: 78
Visa-Free Countries: 66
eVisa Issuance: 23
Visa on Arrival: 37
Traditional Visa Requirements: 74

This list provides a comprehensive overview of visa requirements for African countries. It’s important to note that visa policies can change, so it’s always advisable to check with official sources before planning international travel.