Africa is home to many countries that rank low on global mobility indexes meaning passports do not allow access into many countries.

The least powerful passport in Africa is held by Somalian nationals.

It only allows access to 35 countries and ranks 102nd globally, reports Business Insider Africa. 

Libya and Eritrea also have limiting passports, granting access to 40 and 42 destinations, ranking 100th and 98th.

A passport index by Henley & Partners showed the rankings of African passports and analysed their accessibility. 

According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, Singapore holds the title of the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 out of 227 global destinations. 

Many of the top 10 are European countries, while African passports don’t provide their holders the same accessibility as those of their neighbouring continent.

In Africa, Seychelles holds the title of the strongest passport for 2025, granting its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 156 countries, ranking 25th globally.

Citizens with “stronger” passports are often free from navigating complexities when travelling, such as visas. 

Below is a complete list of the top 10 least powerful passports in Africa, how many countries they each provide access to and where they rank globally:

Somalia - 35 - 102nd

Libya - 40 - 100th

Eritrea - 42 - 98th

Sudan - 43 - 97th

South Sudan - 44 - 96th

Nigeria - 46 - 94th

Ethiopia - 46 - 94th

Dominican Republic of Congo - 46 - 94th

Djibouti - 49 - 93rd

Republic of Congo - 50 - 92nd