Tanzania jumps seven positions in the 2023 ranking of most powerful passports

According to the updated ranking, Tanzanian passport holders enjoy visa-free travel to 73 countries.

The Index, which relies on exclusive and official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), reveals that Singapore currently holds the title of the most powerful passport in the world. Singaporean citizens can visit an impressive 192 travel destinations out of 227 across the globe without the need for a visa.

Sharing the second spot are Germany, Italy, and Spain, each offering visa-free access to 190 destinations.

Japanese passportholders join the ranks of six other nations, including Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea, and Sweden, tied for the third spot with access to 189 destinations without a visa.

In the East African Community (EAC), Tanzania stands behind Kenya, ranked 67th, with the ability to travel to 77 countries visa-free. Neighbouring Malawi secures the 68th position, allowing its passport holders to travel to 75 countries without a visa.

Within the African continent, South Africa boasts the most powerful passport, holding the 51st position globally, with visa-free access to 106 countries. Botswana follows at 58th place, granting its passport holders access to 89 countries visa-free, while Namibia ranks 62nd, providing visa-free access to 81 countries.

Lesotho stands at 64th place, offering visa-free access to 79 countries, and Eswatini occupies the 66th position, granting visa-free access to 77 countries.

Dr Juerg Steffen, the chief executive of Henley & Partners, the inventor of the passport index concept said that countries with welcoming, open-door visa policies could help forge links with other nations to secure economic benefits.

“Visa policy is a significant lever that governments can use to positively impact and improve their passport’s power, making it even more attractive for foreign investors seeking citizenship or residence through investment opportunities,” he said.

For entrepreneurs and businesspeople, improving their economic mobility through visa-free access to more stable economies and key markets that represent a higher proportion of the world’s GDP, provides them with a pathway to lucrative jurisdictions.

It also helps mitigate country- or regional-specific risks, and enables them to build valuable partnerships with industry leaders, and expand their own network of innovators and investors,” Dr Steffen was quoted in part.

With these latest developments, Tanzania celebrates its improved passport ranking, which has the potential to enhance its global outreach and attractiveness to foreign investors and travellers alike.