For Nigerian athletes, teams, and sports professionals who frequently travel across Africa for trials, competitions, and training camps, the latest Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) 2025 brings good news.
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The report highlights significant improvements in visa accessibility, making travel within Africa much easier for Nigerian passport holders.
17 Countries Now Visa-Free for Nigerians
Nigerian sports teams and athletes can now travel to 17 African countries without a visa, making it more convenient for those heading for trials, tournaments, and sporting events. These countries include:
West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone
Central Africa: Cameroon, Chad
Others: Seychelles
This development reduces the burden of visa applications and speeds up travel arrangements for Nigerian sports delegations.
36 Countries Offer Visa-on-Arrival for Nigerians
For those traveling beyond visa-free countries, an additional 36 nations offer Nigerians visas on arrival, ensuring easier access to sports engagements. These include:
North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
East Africa: Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda
Central Africa: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe
Southern Africa: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
This improvement is particularly beneficial for Nigerian sports teams seeking international exposure, as they can now compete in more countries without lengthy visa processes.
Nigeria Ranks 6th in Africa for Visa Progress
Nigeria has risen from 25th place in 2016 to 6th place in 2025 in terms of visa openness, reflecting the country’s improved mobility within the continent. This progress aligns with the growing efforts to enhance African sports exchanges and competitions.
What This Means for the Nigerian Sports Community
Faster travel for trials and tournaments: With fewer visa barriers, Nigerian athletes can participate in international sports events with less hassle.
Cost reduction for sports teams: Eliminating visa fees for 17 countries and simplifying the process in 36 others reduces travel expenses for clubs and federations.
More international opportunities: Easier mobility means more exposure to international competitions, sponsorships, and collaborations.
Looking Ahead
As more African countries embrace visa openness, Nigerian sports teams can expect even greater ease of movement in the coming years.
This development is a major boost for Nigerian sports, allowing more athletes to showcase their talents on the continental stage without unnecessary travel restrictions.
With these improvements, the dream of an interconnected African sports community is becoming a reality. Nigerian athletes and teams should take full advantage of these new travel opportunities to excel on the international stage.
