Visa-on-arrival policies remain a critical driver of regional integration and mobility across Africa, though the number of nations offering such access has dipped slightly, according to the 2024 African Visa Openness Index. The index, published by the African Development Bank and the African Union Commission, shows 27 African countries now grant visa-on-arrival privileges to citizens of at least one other African nation, down from 30 in 2023. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Chad have transitioned to electronic visa systems, reflecting a broader shift toward digital entry management.
Djibouti and Comoros share the top position, each extending visa-on-arrival access to travelers from 53 African countries. Djibouti’s policy covers nationals from Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda, among others. Comoros offers equivalent access to citizens of nations including Nigeria, Seychelles, Libya, Togo, and Sudan. Madagascar and Somalia follow closely, each welcoming visitors from 52 African states. Madagascar’s list includes Cameroon, Nigeria, Zambia, and Tunisia, while Somalia’s covers Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa.
Burundi ranks fifth, providing visa-on-arrival to citizens of 47 African countries, such as the Republic of the Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe, Nigeria, and Gabon. Ethiopia offers the same privilege to 46 nations, including Mali, Mauritius, Cabo Verde, and Eswatini. Mauritania extends access to 45 countries, among them Namibia, Nigeria, Eritrea, and Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau itself grants visa-on-arrival to 40 African nations, covering Lesotho, South Sudan, South Africa, and Tanzania. Mozambique allows entry to nationals from 39 countries, including Equatorial Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Benin, and Libya. Nigeria rounds out the top ten, offering visa-on-arrival to citizens of 36 African states, such as Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Zambia, Uganda, and Tunisia.
The data underscores a continent where movement remains uneven but progressively more open in certain corridors. While the slight decline in participating nations warrants monitoring, the continued dominance of island and coastal states in the rankings highlights the role of Tourism and Trade hubs in driving policy liberalization. As the African Continental Free Trade Area advances, visa regimes will remain a key indicator of political will toward deeper integration. The next index cycle will reveal whether the current dip represents a temporary adjustment or a broader trend.
