Togo scraps visas for all African passport holders

Togo has introduced visa-free entry for nationals of all African states, becoming the sixth country on the continent to open its borders to African passport holders without a visa.

The policy, which took effect on 18 May 2026, was formalised when the Council of Ministers, chaired by President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, adopted a decree exempting African nationals from entry visas. The measure establishes a 30-day visa exemption for travellers holding a valid passport or recognised travel document.

Despite the exemption, eligible travellers are still required to complete a travel declaration on a dedicated government platform at least 24 hours before arrival. Immigration checks remain in place, and authorities keep the power to refuse entry or limit stays on grounds of public order, security or health.

The move is part of a broader drive toward greater freedom of movement across Africa, a long-standing goal of the African Union, which has promoted easier travel as a way to boost trade, tourism and integration.

Togo joins a small but growing group of African nations to have removed visa requirements for fellow Africans, a shift seen by advocates as a practical step toward the continent's vision of open borders and deeper economic ties.