The Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) is an essential tool in tracking the progress of African countries toward visa liberalization and easing mobility across the continent. 2023 has become a pivotal year in the Index’s history, as it records the highest average score for Africa’s visa openness to date. After years of fluctuation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, African countries are once again opening their borders, encouraging the movement of people and fostering greater intra-continental travel and trade.
Visa Openness in a Post-Pandemic Era
The impact of COVID-19 drastically slowed down mobility across the continent, with many nations imposing restrictions on travel to curb the spread of the virus. These measures significantly affected Africa’s visa openness scores in previous years. However, 2023 marks a turnaround. Africa’s average AVOI score now surpasses the previous high set in mid-2020, demonstrating that many of the visa restrictions implemented during the pandemic have been fully reversed.
Noteworthy Improvements
In the last year, 15 African countries improved their AVOI score, reflecting a growing trend toward more open visa policies across the continent. This is a significant increase compared to the 10 countries that recorded improvements between 2021 and 2022. Additionally, 35 countries have maintained their levels of visa openness, a sign of stability and commitment to keeping borders open. On the downside, only four countries saw their AVOI scores decrease, the same number as last year. However, two countries that previously logged a decrease—Senegal and the Central African Republic—have reversed their trends, boosting their visa openness this year.
Visa-Free Travel Expands Across Africa
Visa-free travel continues to gain ground in Africa. 48 of Africa’s 54 countries now offer visa-free entry to the citizens of at least one other African country. While six countries do not yet provide visa-free entry, four of them still rank in the top 20 of this year’s AVOI. This is because these nations offer visa-on-arrival privileges to the citizens of all other African countries. Notably, four countries now offer visa-free entry to the citizens of the entire continent, up from three last year. Additionally, 33 countries allow visa-free travel for citizens from at least 10 other countries, further boosting intra-Africa mobility.
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Visas on Arrival: A Flexible Option
The option to obtain a visa on arrival remains an important factor in enhancing African travel. In 2023, 30 countries offer this option to at least one other African country, making travel more accessible and flexible. Among these, 12 countries stand out for offering a visa on arrival to the citizens of at least 35 other African countries. At the same time, these 12 countries require visas ahead of travel from only nine African nations, making them some of the most accessible destinations on the continent.
E-Visas and Visas Ahead of Travel
While significant strides have been made, some countries continue to require visas ahead of travel for the majority of African citizens. 30 countries still mandate that over half of their fellow African countries secure visas in advance. Furthermore, 44 countries require at least one African nation to obtain a visa before arriving. Despite these numbers, the rise of e-visas is making travel more streamlined. 24 countries now offer e-visa options, allowing travelers to complete visa applications securely and conveniently online before setting off on their journey.
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A More Open Africa
As Africa’s countries continue to improve their visa policies, the continent is on a clear path toward greater openness and enhanced mobility. The 2023 Africa Visa Openness Index marks a high point in this journey, reflecting a post-pandemic rebound and the commitment of African nations to foster stronger ties through easier travel. With visa-free entry, visas on arrival, and e-visas becoming more common, Africa is opening its doors wider to its citizens, paving the way for increased economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and tourism across the continent.
