- The 2024 Henley Passport Index has revealed that African passports still pull teeth in global mobility powerplay, failing to reach the top ten or at least the top fifteen of the annual index.
- In contrast, oil-rich UAE has added 106 destinations to its visa-free score over the past decade.
- Overall, the average number of destinations travelers can access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024.
The 2024 Henley Passport Index has been released, and the passport power ranking has exposed several interesting issues, including the ascent of unprecedented nations to the top.
Despite massive investments in the aviation and inter-regional ground transport infrastructure sector by African governments such as Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, African countries still struggle to make it into the top ten or at least the top fifteen of the annual index.
On the other side of the aisle, the United Arab Emirates recorded the fastest climb on the index. The UAE has added 106 destinations to its visa-free score over the past decade. The Middle Eastern nation went from 55th in 2014 to 11th in 2024.
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Growth in travelers’ access to nations
In the statement provided by Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley and Partners and the inventor of the passport index concept, there is growth in travelers’ access to nations.
“The average number of destinations travelers can access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024,” Dr. Christian said.
However, fortunate nationals holding passports in six countries are considered to have the world’s most powerful passports – Singapore, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, according to the 2024 Henley Passport Index.
Further, it is the first time in 19 years of the index’s operation for six nations to share the top spot. Passport owners of these nations can travel visa-free to the most global destinations. Their citizens can visit 194 out of 227 destinations without needing a visa.
Interestingly, South Korea, Sweden, and Finland follow closely with access to 193 destinations. At the same time, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands tied for the third spot with visa-free travel to 192 destinations.
Shockingly, the United States dropped to the 7th spot for the most powerful passport. US citizens can visit 188 destinations without a visa, compared to 2014 when the US held the top spot with the United Kingdom.
What is the Henley Passport Index?
According to Henley Global.com, the Henley Passport Index is the original authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports related to the number of destinations their holders can access without needing a visa.
“The index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – the largest, most accurate travel information database – and enhanced by Henley & Partners’ research team,” reads the Henley Global statement.
The ranking system harbors historical data spanning 19 years, making it the only one based on exclusive data from the IATA.
More importantly, the index compiles information from 199 passports and 227 travel destinations.
“Updated monthly, the Henley Passport Index is considered the standard reference tool for global citizens and sovereign states when assessing where a passport ranks on the global mobility spectrum,” says Henley Global.
However, another crucial aspect in the entire space is the global mobility gap between the most and least powerful countries, which has never been wider.
How powerful are African passports?
In this year’s index, tables have taken an interesting turn. The closest powerful African passport, ranked 26 in the global score, is Seychelles, the continent’s smallest and least populated country.
The African nation has assumed first place in Africa’s top ten powerful passports, with access to 156 visa-free destinations, followed by Mauritius with 150 destinations at 30th. South Africa, the continent’s most advanced economy, ranked 53rd.
Further down to the 65th global rank, we find Africa’s number four, Namibia, with 80 visa-free destinations.
Interestingly, in East Africa, Kenya and Malawi are tied globally at 67 with visa-free access to 76 destinations, followed by Tanzania at 69th with 73 destinations.
Morocco, Tunisia, and Zambia scored the 71st spot in the global rank with 71 visa-free destinations, closing the continent’s top ten.
Read also: Namibia and Botswana remove a barrier to freedom of movement, abolish the use of passports
Global mobility gaps
On a broader scale, when the term “Mobility gaps” emerges, it is safe to say that it addresses the core issue of whether every individual has adequate access to mobility to satisfy the needs of their everyday life.
According to a 2017 research published by the Wiley Online Library, the question has become particularly relevant as mobility has become fundamental to performing day-to-day activities.
There are differences in the capacity to travel and in travel behaviors, contingent on many factors, including individual and environmental.
It goes without saying that powerful passports drive economic growth. Historically, countries with higher visa-free access have often preached and promoted more open economy policies encouraging foreign investment and international trade.
Consequently, they grow faster, are more innovative and productive, and provide their citizens with higher income and more opportunities.
On the other side of the coin, the Henley Passport Index argues that there are plenty of developing nations with significant and growing private wealth that have not yet developed the geopolitical, diplomatic, and trade relations propelling their governments to sign visa waivers with other countries, putting their citizens at a crucial disadvantage.
In return, the latter doesn’t take away the vitality of global mobility in the twenty-first century.
Read also: Can African Passports create opportunities for Africans?
Visa free travel globally
“Improving its passport’s power not only benefits its citizens in terms of increased travel and financial freedom, but it also makes the country more attractive to foreign investors seeking residence or citizenship by investment opportunities.
International entrepreneurs, businesspeople, and affluent families are more likely to invest in countries that can advance their economic mobility through visa-free access to more stable economies and key markets representing a higher proportion of the world’s GDP,” Henley Global said in part.
The top-ranked countries can travel to 155 more destinations than the bottom-ranked country, Afghanistan (a war-torn nation), whose citizens can only go to 28 countries visa-free.
Other than Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq offer visa-free travel to 29 and 31 destinations, respectively.
