World
Henley Passport Index 2019: Kenya’s Passport Ranked 8th Most Powerful In Africa
Kenya stands in the list at position 72 with access to 71 visa-free destinations
Kenya’s passport has been ranked the eighth most powerful in Africa, according to the Henley Passport Index 2019. It ranked behind Seychelles, South Africa, Mauritius, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland, reported Business Daily Africa.
The Henley Passport Index ranks countries on the basis of the number of places where the citizens can travel without a visa. It is based on information gathered throughout the year by the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and factors in 199 countries’ passports.
Japan’s passport topped the Henley Passport Index 2019 for the second year in a row as it offers travel access to 190 countries. Following Japan on the list are Singapore and South Korea. Both countries allow its citizens to travel to 189 countries. France and Germany tied for third with 188 visa-free destinations. The U.S. passport is tied in sixth place alongside Austria, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Kenya stood in the list at position 72 with access to 71 visa-free destinations, which is an improvement from last year’s 73. Tanzania ranked 73rd position with free access to 68 countries, South Sudan 97th with 41 visa-free destinations; Rwanda ranked 84th with free access to 54 destinations and Burundi 92nd with free access to 46 countries.
Singapore, Hong Kong, Jamaica, and Fiji are among the countries where Kenyans can access without a visa or get one on arrival.
“Kenya ranked 72nd in 2019 with 71 destinations visa-free access,” the report produced in collaboration with International Air Transport Association (IATA) read. “As the world economy has become increasingly globalized, the need for greater visa-free access has grown steadily.”
The countries with the weakest passports include Palestinian Territory and Sudan at 99th place allowing access to only 39 countries, Somalia and Syria at 103rd place, and Afghanistan and Iraq at 104th place.
You can check out the complete Henley Passport Index 2019 here.
