(JUBA) – A new report has ranked South Sudan among the ten least open countries in Africa for travel, highlighting how strict visa policies continue to block progress towards regional integration and economic development across the continent. The 2025 Henley Openness Index, which assesses 199 countries and territories based on their visa entry requirements, places South Sudan in the global bottom tier for ease of travel access, alongside Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Algeria and others.
Despite the ambitions of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seek to promote intra-African trade and mobility, many African countries including South Sudan still enforce rigid border controls. These policies restrict the movement of people and goods, directly undermining efforts to boost business, investment, tourism and cross border cooperation.
South Sudan, ranked 97th globally on the Henley Openness Index as of July 2025, offers visa free or visa on arrival access to only six nationalities. This gives the country an openness score of 3.03 percent. In comparison, leading nations in visa liberalisation offer access to over 150 countries without a visa or with simplified processes, placing African laggards at a disadvantage in attracting foreign investors and tourists.
| Country | Global Rank (2025) | Countries with Visa-Free Access | Openness Score (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equatorial Guinea | 101 | 3 | 1.52 |
| Eritrea | 100 | 4 | 2.02 |
| Libya | 99 | 5 | 2.53 |
| South Sudan | 97 | 6 | 3.03 |
| Algeria | 96 | 6 | 3.03 |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | 94 | 7 | 3.54 |
| Sudan | 93 | 8 | 4.04 |
| Cameroon | 92 | 8 | 4.04 |
| Mauritania | 95 | 11 | 5.56 |
| Gabon | 90 | 12 | 6.06 |
Such restrictions are not only administrative barriers but also serious economic setbacks. The continent’s youthful population is seen as a key asset in realising long term innovation, growth and development. But limited mobility constrains young Africans’ access to education, training and employment opportunities across borders.
For a country like South Sudan, where the majority of the population is under the age of 25, these mobility barriers have wide reaching consequences. Easing visa restrictions could empower youth to connect with regional education hubs, entrepreneurship networks and cross border employment sectors. It would also allow for the exchange of ideas and skills critical to building stronger economies.
In a continent where regional trade and integration are priorities, strict visa regimes are increasingly viewed as outdated and counterproductive. Business leaders, development agencies and civil society groups are now pushing African governments to adopt coordinated visa systems that support seamless travel while maintaining necessary security standards.
One proposal gaining support is the development of a harmonised visa regime, similar to the Schengen model in Europe, where African citizens can move freely across member states without needing separate visas. Regional organisations such as the African Union (AU) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are already backing initiatives to simplify travel processes across Africa.
While national governments often cite political stability, border security, or economic protection as reasons for restricting entry, experts say these concerns can be addressed without compromising openness. In fact, countries that have eased visa restrictions have seen notable boosts in tourism, foreign direct investment and professional mobility.
For example, countries that adopted visa on arrival policies for fellow African nationals have recorded increases in cross border trade and short term business travel. These trends indicate that open borders do not weaken national interests but strengthen regional resilience and global competitiveness.
South Sudan, alongside its peers in the bottom tier of the openness index, now faces a choice. By continuing to enforce restrictive policies, it risks isolating itself further from regional development. But by working with other African nations to liberalise visa regimes, it could unlock new pathways for economic cooperation and youth empowerment.
As of July 2025, the exchange rate places one US dollar at approximately 4,600 South Sudanese Pounds. Given this economic reality, international travel remains a significant expense for South Sudanese citizens. The added administrative and bureaucratic hurdles only make it harder for South Sudanese entrepreneurs, student, and workers to access regional and global opportunities.
Africa’s journey toward unity, prosperity, and international relevance cannot succeed if its borders remain closed to its own people. For South Sudan and other low ranking countries on the Henley Openness Index, visa reform must now become a cornerstone of national and regional policy.