Rwanda has retained its position as the most visa-open country in Africa, according to the Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) 2024. The report, a collaborative effort between the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Union (AU) Commission, underscores Rwanda’s continued commitment to facilitating the free movement of people across the continent.
Since 2023, Rwanda has held the top spot due to its visa-free policy, which allows citizens from all African countries to enter without requiring a visa. This marks a significant achievement in the country’s broader efforts to promote regional integration and economic cooperation in Africa.
Alongside Rwanda, Benin, The Gambia, and Seychelles were also highlighted as leaders in visa openness, with all four nations offering visa-free access to citizens from all African countries. The report found that the top 10 countries in visa openness achieved an average score of 0.910. While eight countries experienced a decline in their rankings, 17 countries showed improvements, and 29 maintained their positions from the previous year.
Despite its openness, Rwanda still faces visa restrictions in certain African countries. Rwandan nationals require a visa to travel to 16 countries, can obtain a visa on arrival in 16 others, and need a full visa for 21 African nations. Nonetheless, Rwanda’s visa policy is part of a political decision aimed at fostering mobility and cooperation across the continent, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe.
In a recent interview, Nduhungirehe emphasized that Rwanda’s visa-free regime is not contingent on reciprocity. “This is a strategic choice to support the free movement of people across Africa, and we are committed to signing visa-waiver agreements with more countries to make that vision a reality,” he said.
Joy Kategekwa, Director of Regional Integration at the AfDB, highlighted that removing visa barriers is key to Africa’s economic future. She stressed that visa restrictions hinder the potential of tourism and economic exchange between African nations, despite the continent’s rich cultural and historical attractions. “Mobility is essential for skill-sharing, job creation, and Africa’s industrialization. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) cannot succeed without the free movement of people,” Kategekwa stated.
The report also noted Sudan as the least open country in Africa, with a score of just 0.030. The country requires visas from 51 African nations and only offers visa-on-arrival access to two countries, reflecting a significant contrast to the more open policies of countries like Rwanda.