The Republic of Chad has announced plans to begin visa-free entry to Africans. This means that all African nationals will soon be exempt from entry visa requirements, with the policy taking effect on January 1, 2027.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby stated that the decision marks a significant step toward deepening pan-African unity.
He noted that the initiative will facilitate the seamless movement of people and goods across the continent.
Following this announcement, Chad becomes the ninth African nation to introduce a visa-free entry policy for citizens of the continent.
Other African countries that have adopted similar open-door policies include Benin Republic, The Gambia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Ghana, Kenya, and Togo.
In May, Togo announced that African travelers could enter the country without a visa, provided they hold a valid passport.
Backstory…
The announcement comes amid renewed efforts by African countries to make movement across the continent easier and strengthen regional integration. In recent years, the African Union and regional blocs have pushed for policies that reduce visa restrictions for African travellers, with several countries introducing visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangements for citizens of other African nations.
Chad’s decision is also in line with the broader objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the AU’s push for greater freedom of movement, which seeks to make it easier for Africans to travel, work, study and conduct business across borders. However, implementation remains uneven across the continent, with many African travellers still facing visa requirements when visiting other African countries.
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Chad Republic
Chad is a landlocked country in Central Africa, bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west. Its capital and largest city is N’Djamena, which serves as the country’s political, commercial and administrative centre.
With a population of more than 18 million people, Chad is one of Africa’s larger countries by land area, although much of its territory is covered by the Sahara Desert and the Sahel. The country is known for its diverse ethnic and cultural groups, with Arabic and French serving as its official languages. Its economy relies heavily on oil production, alongside agriculture, livestock and other natural resources.
