Two African countries to open borders to Nigerians without visa from 2027

Nigerian passport holders will be able to travel to Chad and the Republic of the Congo without obtaining entry visas from January 1, 2027.

The two African countries have announced plans to remove visa requirements for nationals of all African countries as part of efforts to promote free movement, strengthen continental integration and ease travel and trade across the continent.

Chad will abolish entry visa requirements for African nationals from January 1, 2027.

President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno announced the policy in July 2026, saying it was aimed at advancing African integration and the free movement of people and goods across Africa.

Under the policy, Nigerians and citizens of other African countries will be able to enter Chad without first obtaining an entry visa.

The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, will introduce a similar policy from January 1, 2027.

President Denis Sassou Nguesso announced the decision during the 2026 African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings in Brazzaville.

He said nationals of all African countries would no longer require visas to enter the Republic of the Congo from January 1, 2027, subject to minimal administrative and security provisions.

The policy is intended to promote greater continental integration and the free movement of Africans while complementing efforts under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

For Nigerian travellers, the decisions will add Chad and the Republic of the Congo to destinations listed as visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries for Nigerian passport holders.

Visa-free countries for Nigerian passport holders

Barbados

Benin

Burkina Faso

Burundi — Visa on arrival

Cambodia — Visa on arrival

Cameroon

Cape Verde Islands

Chad

Comoro Islands — Visa on arrival

Cook Islands

Cote d’Ivoire

Djibouti

Dominica

Fiji