Rwanda has maintained its position as the most visa-open country in Africa, according to the 2025 Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI). The country has held the top spot since 2023 due to its visa-free regime, which allows citizens of other African countries to enter without a visa. The Gambia shares the top position with Rwanda, while Kenya ranks third and Benin fourth.
The AVOI report, a joint initiative of the African Development Bank and the African Union Commission, measures the extent to which African countries are open to visitors from other African countries. The report analyzes each country’s visa requirements to determine which nations facilitate travel to their territory. The combined visa openness score across Africa is 0.445, slightly lower than in the past three years.
In 2025, 20 African countries changed their visa policies, affecting citizens of one or more African nations. Eleven countries improved their scores, while nine decreased, and 34 countries made no changes. The number of visa-free travel scenarios across Africa increased slightly, from 803 in 2024 to 814 in 2025, accounting for 28.2% of intra-African travel scenarios.
Rwanda offers visa-free access to all African travelers, but its citizens still need visas or visas-on-arrival to enter some countries. They can travel visa-free to 16 African nations, obtain visas on arrival in another 16 countries, and must secure a visa in 21 countries. The African Development Bank’s Director of Regional Integration, Joy Kategekwa, noted that visa-free mobility in Africa has shown promise over the past decade but requires accelerated action to reach its full potential.
Kategekwa emphasized that visa-free policies support Africa’s economic growth, enabling trade, industry, and allowing Africans to access opportunities where they are most needed. She called for creativity and innovation in building and learning from countries that have granted visa-free access to fellow African citizens, while managing risk and anticipating challenges. The AVOI report highlights the importance of facilitating visa-free mobility in Africa, which is crucial for the continent’s economic development and growth.
