In a historic decision, Benin is the latest African nation to grant visa-free access to all other African countries. It joins Seychelles in opening its doors to its neighbours.
Prior to the visa waiver only nationals of Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo could enter Benin visa-free for a maximum stay of 90 days.
Now all Africans are welcome to visit Benin visa-free for 90 days.
Benin has greatly improved its welcoming score with this visa waiver. The country previously had a welcoming score of 17, meaning the nationals of just 17 countries could enter Benin visa-free. It now has a welcoming score of 54, ranking 75th globally.
By opening up to other countries, Benin has shown an act of good faith towards its African neighbours. It is notoriously difficult for Africans to move around the continent. The efforts of Seychelles, and now Benin, speak to a willingness to become more open and create a more unified Africa.
Interestingly, European nationals still need a visa to enter Benin, including Germany, which holds the world’s most powerful passport. Singaporeans require a visa to enter Benin as well. Perhaps Benin will continue following in Seychelles’ footsteps by opening up its doors to the rest of the world next.
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