Nigeria has dropped to 90th position in the latest global passport rankings, placing it among the world’s weakest travel documents and highlighting the growing gap in travel freedom across Africa.
The July 2026 Henley Passport Index, released by Henley & Partners, shows that Nigerian passport holders can currently travel to only 44 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance or by securing a visa on arrival.
The ranking places Nigeria 45th among African countries, tied globally with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The latest report underscores the uneven pace of mobility across the African continent.
While several countries have strengthened their international travel access through diplomatic agreements and improved global relations, others continue to face significant visa restrictions.
South Africa retained its position as Africa’s strongest passport, climbing to 49th in the global rankings with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 101 destinations.
Botswana followed in second place on the continent with access to 81 destinations, while Namibia ranked third with 74 destinations. Lesotho, Eswatini and Morocco also remained among Africa’s top-performing passports.
Other African countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Tanzania and Tunisia continued to outperform Nigeria, reflecting broader differences in international mobility and diplomatic engagement across the continent.
Although Nigeria had improved its global position over the past two years, moving up from 95th to 89th between early 2024 and April 2026, the latest report shows a fresh decline. The country’s visa-free access also dropped from 45 destinations to 44, contributing to its lower ranking.
Globally, Singapore maintained its position as the world’s most powerful passport, offering access to 192 destinations without requiring a prior visa.
Japan ranked second with 188 destinations, while South Korea and the United Arab Emirates shared third place with access to 187 destinations each. The United States ranked 10th globally with visa-free access to 180 destinations.
At the bottom of the global rankings, Afghanistan remained the weakest passport, followed by Syria and Iraq.
The Henley Passport Index is widely regarded as one of the leading global measures of passport strength.
It ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa before departure, providing an indication of international mobility and the strength of diplomatic relationships.
For millions of Africans, passport rankings are more than just numbers. They influence opportunities for tourism, business, education, employment and international investment.
The latest report highlights the continued challenge of expanding travel access for citizens of several African nations while demonstrating how stronger diplomatic ties can improve global mobility.
As governments across the continent seek to deepen regional integration through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and promote easier movement of people, experts say improving passport strength will remain an important indicator of diplomatic influence and economic competitiveness in the years ahead.
