Holders of Nigerian passport 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 to eliminate entry visa requirements for citizens of all African nations, allowing Nigerians to travel to both destinations without securing visas before departure.
The gesture 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.
Republic of Chad
Republic of 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.
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.
In July, this platform reported the news of the 44 countries that 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.
The 44 visa-free or visa on arrival countries are listed below:
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
Nigerian travelers 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 Republic of Chad and the Republic of the Congo will further expand travel opportunities for Nigerians and other African citizens while advancing the continent’s long-standing goal of greater freedom of movement.