Nigeria has been ranked sixth among 54 African countries in the 2024 African Visa Openness Index (AVOI) report, jointly released by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Union (AU). The index tracks how easily African citizens can travel within the continent, measuring the accessibility of countries based on visa requirements.
According to the report, visa openness reflects how simple it is for travelers to gain authorization to enter a country. Countries with more open policies allow visa-free entry or visas upon arrival for visitors.
Top performers on the 2024 index include Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Seychelles, all occupying the first position. The report noted that 16 of the top 20 countries are from West and East Africa, with Southern Africa contributing three countries (Madagascar, Mauritius, and Mozambique) and North Africa represented by Mauritania.
The index highlights a trend where lower-income countries tend to adopt more liberal visa policies, promoting ease of travel, while higher-income countries often maintain restrictive regimes due to concerns about economic migration or irregular movement.
Nigeria’s rise from 25th in 2016 to 6th in 2024 demonstrates significant progress in easing travel within Africa. Other countries with notable improvements include Benin (31st to 1st), Ethiopia (46th to 19th), Sierra Leone (32nd to 13th), and The Gambia (18th to 1st).
The report emphasizes that visa openness primarily supports casual travel and does not extend rights for business activities or residency. With 39 countries improving their scores since 2016, the findings reflect growing efforts across the continent to foster easier intra-African travel.
