Nigerian passport holders are set to enjoy visa-free access to two more African countries from January 1, 2027, following separate announcements by the governments of Chad and the Republic of the Congo.
The two countries have announced plans to eliminate entry visa requirements for citizens of all African nations, allowing Nigerians to travel to both destinations without securing visas before departure.
The move is part of wider efforts across the continent to promote the free movement of people, deepen African integration and facilitate cross-border trade and tourism.
Chad
Chad is expected to abolish entry visa requirements for African nationals from January 1, 2027.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno announced the policy in July 2026, describing it as a step towards strengthening African integration and promoting the free movement of people and goods across the continent.
Once implemented, Nigerian travellers and citizens of other African countries will be able to enter Chad without obtaining an entry visa in advance, subject to applicable entry and security requirements.
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, has also announced plans to remove visa requirements for nationals of all African countries from January 1, 2027.
President Denis Sassou Nguesso disclosed the decision during the 2026 African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings in Brazzaville.
According to the announcement, citizens of African countries will no longer need visas to enter the Republic of the Congo from the stated date, although travellers will still be required to comply with applicable administrative and security procedures.
The policy is expected to support greater movement of Africans across the continent and complement efforts to strengthen regional integration and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
44 Countries Nigerians Can Travel to Without a Pre-Travel Visa
The latest list of destinations available to Nigerian passport holders without obtaining a traditional visa before departure includes countries offering visa-free entry as well as visa-on-arrival arrangements.
- Barbados
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi – Visa on arrival
- Cambodia – Visa on arrival
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Chad
- Comoros – Visa on arrival
- Cook Islands
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- Iran – Visa on arrival
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Madagascar – Visa on arrival
- Maldives – Visa on arrival
- Mali
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Niger
- Niue – Visa on arrival
- Palau – Visa on arrival
- Rwanda
- Samoa – Visa on arrival
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- The Gambia
- Timor-Leste – Visa on arrival
- Togo
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Travellers are advised to confirm the latest entry conditions with the relevant embassy, immigration authority or airline before travelling, as visa policies, permitted length of stay and other entry requirements can change.
The planned changes by Chad and the Republic of the Congo could further expand travel opportunities for Nigerians and other African citizens while advancing the continent’s long-standing goal of greater freedom of movement.
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