Politics These 5 African passports give you the most travel freedom

The world is fast becoming one inter-connected village, and one document that can help travellers transverse across borders is the passport. But, some passports carry more power than others.

Across the globe, possession of some countries' passport increases your travel chances. This is as passport holders of some countries have it easier than others when it comes to visa procurement to travel.

According to Henley & Partners Visa Restriction Index 2017, the most powerful and travel-freedom granting passport in Africa is Seychelles, while Somalia is the least based on the ranking of 199 passports.

Based on this report, here are top 5 countries with the most powerful passports in Africa. This is based on the number of countries passport-holders can visit without the need for a visa.

1. Seychelles

Seychelles is an Island nation in the East African region of the continent. It is made up of about 115 islands in the Indian Ocean.

Seychelles is a top tourist destination, hence it operates a visa operation for visitors coming to the country.

As a Seychelles passport holder, you have visa-free access to 137 countries in the world including Germany, France and China.

2. Mauritius

Mauritius passport-holders also enjoy similar travel freedom and right to that of the Seychelles. Passport holders have a visa-free entrance into 131 countries across the globe.

Like Seychelles, Mauritius is also a major tourist stop-point for fun lovers. More so, the ease enjoyed by the two countries is due to their relaxed visa regulations.

3. South Africa

South Africa has the third most powerful passport in Africa. For the rainbow nation, passport holders can travel to 98 countries without a prior visa.

For South Africa, it is a combination of its tourist stops and better business climates that earned it this level of travel-freedom.

4. Botswana

Botswana is one of the landlocked countries in Africa, and it is surrounded by – Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

For passport holders of the Southern African country, they have a visa-free access to 74 countries across the globe including India, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom among others.

5. Namibia

Namibia is the fifth most powerful passport in Africa. For the Southwest African country's passport holders, they have an opportunity to visit 71 countries without the need for a visa.

Some of these countries include Brazil, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom among others.

African countries that ranked least on this index include Somalia (30), Libya (33), Sudan (36), South Sudan (37), Ethiopia (37), Congo Democratic Republic (40), and Djibouti (40).

Major economic powerhouses on the continent that ranked lower include Nigeria (44), Ghana (59), and Kenya (69).