Kenya’s passport has climbed five places to rank 68th globally in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, granting holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 69 countries.
This is an improvement from 73rd place in 2025, when Kenyans could access 70 destinations.
The Henley Passport Index, powered by International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, measures travel freedom by counting the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa.
Kenya’s rise to 68th reflects its relative advantage as neighbouring countries experienced declines due to tighter visa regimes.
The move places Kenya ahead of Nigeria, which is ranked 74th, and just behind Tanzania at 69th, underscoring its competitive edge within East Africa. Kenya is also ranked tenth within Africa, trailing Seychelles and Mauritius, whose citizens enjoy access to 154 and 145 destinations, respectively.
In mid-2025, Kenya introduced visa waivers for almost all African nationals, allowing stays of up to 60 days. This policy earned the country a top Henley Openness score, although full visa reciprocity for Kenyan citizens remains limited in some parts of the continent.
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The reforms have facilitated intra-African trade, with Kenyan business travellers reporting smoother regional mobility. Kenyans now enjoy seamless entry to several Caribbean nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and the Bahamas.
Other visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries include Botswana, Burundi, Benin, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Maldives, Nepal, and Qatar.
The upgrade is expected to ease mobility for tourism, trade, education, and diaspora connections, particularly amid rising global travel costs. However, visa restrictions remain for Europe, including the Schengen area.
Compared with the most powerful passports, such as Singapore with access to 192 destinations and Japan with 189, Kenya’s ranking indicates potential for further gains.
Historically, Kenya’s passport has shown steady improvement, rising from 72nd in 2023 to 70th in 2024, before a dip in 2025 and the current 2026 surge. Diplomatic efforts, including bilateral deals with Caribbean states and electronic travel authorisations (eTAs) counted as visa-free, have contributed to the rise.
Government negotiations under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continue to target further reciprocity with African peers and emerging markets. For now, Kenyans can access 69 countries, enhancing opportunities in tourism, business, and cultural exchange, and connecting Nairobi’s economy more closely to the global market.