The latest Henley & Partners Passport Index for 2025 shows the most powerful passports in the world from 199 different countries and 227 different travel destinations, ranking them quarterly in terms of travel power.
Each passport was scored on the total number of destinations that the holder can access visa-free.
South Africa placed 48th out of 199 countries with a visa-free score of 106.
That means there are 106 countries across the world that a South African passport holder can travel to visa-free.
Singapore is still the most powerful passport in the world with its citizens able to visit 195 visa-free travel destinations out of 227 around the world.
Japan ranked second for most powerful, with its citizens able to visit 193 visa-free travel destinations out of 227 around the world.
Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea and Spain all tied for third position.
THE 108 COUNTRIES THAT SOUTH AFRICAN PASSPORT HOLDERS CAN VISIT VISA-FREE PER REGION:
Africa – 34
Americas – 18
Asia – 17
Caribbean – 16
Europe – 3
Middle East – 8
Oceania – 10
The 10 most powerful passports in Africa
According to the Henley Passport Power Index, these ten countries ranked as the most powerful passports in Africa alone:
- Seychelles
- Mauritius
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Lesotho
- eSwatini
- Malawi
- Kenya
- Morocco
Seychelles came first with a ranking of 25 and a visa-free score of 156.
Mauritius took the next spot with a ranking of 29 and a visa-free score of 151.
South Africa ranked as the third most powerful passport in Africa.
Have you visited any of these countries in Africa?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
