Chad to scrap entry visas for all Africans by 2027, six countries already open to Nigerians
By Aboki Forex —
Chad has announced plans to remove entry visa requirements for all African nationals from January 1, 2027, a move that will also cover Nigerians. Six African countries already offer broad visa-free access to Nigerians and other African citizens across the continent.
The decision, reported by BusinessDay, is expected to make travel easier for millions of Africans while supporting tourism, trade, investment and regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Chad's visa-free plan
President Mahamat Idriss Déby announced that the country would eliminate entry visa requirements for all African nationals from January 1, 2027. The landlocked country shares borders with six nations and sits at a crossroads linking North, West, Central and East Africa.
According to the Chadian government, removing visa barriers will facilitate the movement of people and goods while potentially boosting tourism, business and investment. Chad becomes the latest African country to adopt a blanket visa-free policy for Africans.
Six countries already open to Africans
Rwanda allows citizens of African Union member states to enter without obtaining a visa in advance. Kenya has pursued visa-free entry for citizens of African countries to boost tourism, trade and people-to-people connections. The Gambia has long maintained relatively open entry arrangements for citizens of several African countries, supporting its tourism and hospitality industries.
Seychelles operates a visa-free entry policy for visitors, though travellers must still meet entry and immigration requirements including documentation and accommodation arrangements. Benin has embraced easier movement for Africans, supporting cross-border commerce and informal trade within the region. Chad will join these countries from 2027.
What it means for Nigeria
The African Union's Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area both seek to reduce barriers to the movement of people, goods and services across the continent. Easier visa rules could also encourage more Africans to travel within Africa rather than facing lengthy and expensive visa application processes to visit neighbouring countries.
For Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, such policies could create new opportunities for entrepreneurs, tourists, students and businesses seeking to expand across the continent. The bigger ambition is clear: an Africa where borders remain politically important but are no longer unnecessary obstacles to trade, tourism and people-to-people connections.