The latest Henley Passport Index report, based on official data from the International Air Transport Association, reveals the number of destinations passport holders can access without a prior visa.

In Africa, Mauritius was ranked first by the latest Henley Global Passport Index Report, South Africa second, and Tanzania ninth in terms of ease of travel.

The publishers of the index have been using it to show the link between passport strength and access to the global economy for the past 18 years.

This year’s index shows that just 6% of passports worldwide give their holders visa-free access to more than 70% of the global economy.

Analysts say that with global travel improving but not at the same level prior to the pandemic, a lower ranking on the index could mean that citizens of a particular country are shut out of opportunities for economic mobility and growth.

East African countries, Tanzania included, have as of last year, begun rolling out chip-embedded passports for their citizens to combat rampant forgery and impersonation.

The East African Community hopes that this will strengthen the region’s passport and open up more travel and economic opportunities for citizens.