The concept of a passport's power is often overlooked, but it can greatly impact one's travel experience. While some passports grant easy access to numerous countries, others can feel like a limitation. According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, Somalia holds the least powerful passport in Africa, allowing access to only 35 countries and ranking 102nd globally.

In Africa, many countries face the challenge of holding passports that rank low on global mobility indexes. These passports often offer limited access to visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations, leaving citizens to navigate the complexities of international travel with fewer opportunities than their counterparts from nations with "stronger" passports.

The top 10 least powerful passports in Africa in 2025, as revealed by Henley & Partners' passport index, are dominated by countries with limited economic resources and political instability. Libya and Eritrea follow closely behind Somalia, granting access to 40 and 42 destinations, ranking 100th and 98th, respectively.

The full list of the top 10 least powerful passports in Africa in 2025 is as follows: Somalia (35 countries, 102nd globally), Libya (40 countries, 100th globally), Eritrea (42 countries, 98th globally), Sudan (43 countries, 97th globally), South Sudan (44 countries, 96th globally), Nigeria (46 countries, 94th globally), Ethiopia (46 countries, 94th globally), Congo (Dem. Rep.) (46 countries, 94th globally), Djibouti (49 countries, 93rd globally), and Congo (Rep.) (50 countries, 92nd globally).

Cameroon and Burundi also share the same position as Congo (Rep.), with their passports allowing access to 50 destinations. The disparity in passport strength is largely influenced by a country's economic standing, international relations, and political stability. Wealthier, more diplomatically active nations often secure agreements with others, granting their citizens easier access to foreign countries.

Conversely, nations with weaker passports often lack such agreements, leaving their citizens with restricted mobility. This highlights the importance of diplomatic efforts and economic development in improving the travel experience for citizens of African countries. As the global mobility landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these rankings will change in the future.

In contrast, Seychelles holds the title of the strongest passport for 2025, granting its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 156 countries, ranking 25th globally. The top 10 rankings are heavily dominated by European countries, with Singapore holding the title of the world's most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 out of 227 global destinations.

The Henley Passport Index serves as a reminder of the significant disparities in global mobility and the importance of addressing these inequalities to promote greater travel freedom and economic opportunities for citizens of all nations.