Sierra Leone has moved up two places as its passport is ranked 83rd out of 116 countries, but it is still among the least powerful in Africa, the latest 2022 Henley Passport Index shows.

Sierra Leone passport was previously ranked 85 in 2021. The change also brings an important news that holders of Sierra Leone passports can travel to 64 countries visa-free.

The index, published by Henley & Partners, a London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm, ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.

It is updated in real-time throughout the year as and when visa policy changes come into effect.

The Sierra Leone passport, according to the index, only guarantees visa-free access to 64 countries of the world, a decrease from 71 as at July 2021. Nonetheless, the country still ranked amongst the top African countries with the least powerful passports.

Passport ranking

Globally, Japan’s passport is ranked as the most powerful in the world as it allows a holder to enter 193 countries around the world.

In Africa, Seychelles’ passport is ranked number one and 28th in the world. Its passport holders have access to 153 countries without visa payment.

Mauritius’s passport is ranked second in Africa and ranked 33th globally with access to 146 countries. South Africa is third in Africa and ranked 55th in the world with access to travel to 105 countries. Botswana is ranked fourth in Africa and rated 65 all over the world with access to 87 countries without paying for a visa.

Namibia is ranked 76th in the global ranking and fifth in Africa. Its passport carriers have access to 79 countries.

The African countries with the least powerful passports are Somalia, Libya, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.