African Visa Openness Index 2025: Rwanda and The Gambia Lead, Côte d’Ivoire Ranks 22nd

According to the African Visa Openness Index 2025 published by the African Development Bank, Rwanda and The Gambia top the ranking, followed by Kenya, Benin, and Ghana.

Côte d’Ivoire ranks 22nd out of 54 African countries, with a score of 0.415.

The index measures how easily African citizens can travel across the continent, whether visa-free, with visa-on-arrival, or with a visa required in advance.

However, developments are rapidly evolving. In May 2026, Togo removed visa requirements for all African citizens, joining a growing group of countries promoting greater openness across the continent.

This shift reflects a broader trend: intra-African mobility is increasingly becoming a key tool for economic diplomacy, competitiveness, and regional integration.

Facilitating the movement of people is expected to:

·       boost trade between African countries;

·       strengthen tourism and business travel;

·       attract more investment;

·       accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).