The Republic of the Congo has announced that it will grant visa-free entry to all African nationals starting from January 1, 2027, joining a growing list of countries across the continent easing travel restrictions.
The announcement was made by President Denis Sassou Nguesso during the African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Brazzaville, where African leaders gathered to mark Africa Day.
“From January 1, 2027, nationals of all African countries will have visa-free access and will no longer need a visa to enter Congo,” Sassou Nguesso said, urging African states to move beyond what he described as “selfishness and nationalism” and accelerate regional integration through the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The policy follows a similar move by Togo, which announced on May 18 that African citizens holding valid national passports would no longer require entry visas to visit the country.
Togo’s policy allows stays of up to 30 days, while visitors are still required to comply with existing immigration, security, and public health regulations upon arrival.
Other African countries that currently maintain visa-free or visa-on-arrival access for Africans include Ghana, Benin Republic, Seychelles, The Gambia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Togo.
