Visa openness findings, 2022

The 2021 edition of the AVOI noted several countries back-sliding on their ranking from the previous year. Countries were dealing with global uncertainty around the pandemic’s impacts on health and the economy, and many governments restricted travel. Some changed their visa regime.

This year has seen several positive developments. Ten countries improved their score on visa openness, and 40 maintained their score. Only four countries recorded a decrease. The continent’s aggregate score improved by 8%, compensating for last year’s downturn.

Visa-free travel

• 48 countries out of 54—the vast majority of African countries— now offer visa-free travel to the nationals of at least one other African country.
• 42 countries offer visa-free travel to the nationals of at least 5 other African countries.
• 3 African countries offer visa-free travel to the citizens of other African countries.

Visas on arrival

• 29 countries—more than half of the continent— now offer a visa on arrival to the nationals of at least one other African country.
• 24 countries offer a visa on arrival to the nationals of 5 or more countries.
• 14 countries offer a visa on arrival to 35 or more African countries.

In contrast, 32 countries still require the nationals of at least half of the continent’s countries to obtain a visa before travelling. Reducing this number and making it possible for more people to travel visa-free, with an e-visa, or with a visa on arrival, would make the continent significantly more open.