Sierra Leone advances visa openness to enhance tourism and regional connectivity

SIERRA LEONE – Sierra Leone has taken major steps to improve its visa policies, making travel easier for visitors and strengthening its position as a tourism hub in Africa.

Between 2023 and 2024, the country improved its Visa Openness Index (AVOI) score by 0.309 points, reaching 0.811.

This progress elevated Sierra Leone’s ranking from 22nd to 13th among African nations, reflecting its efforts to boost regional cooperation and attract more international travelers.

In a notable move, Sierra Leone now offers visa-free travel to citizens of Ghana and Nigeria, both key members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Previously, travelers from these nations could only acquire visas on arrival. This shift aligns with ECOWAS’ growing emphasis on regional accessibility, contributing to a regional reciprocity score of 99% and further encouraging cross-border travel.

Visa policies have become more inclusive, with 20 countries now granted visa-free access to Sierra Leone. This marks a significant increase compared to previous years.

Additionally, 35 countries can now obtain visas upon arrival, reducing the challenges faced by travelers. However, a few nations—including Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, and Ethiopia—still require pre-departure visas.

The government’s efforts also include visa fee exemptions for citizens of several African Union (AU) nations, including Kenya, Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Eswatini, and Lesotho. These policies aim to remove entry barriers and encourage both tourism and trade.

Nabeela Farida Tunis, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, highlighted the importance of these changes.

“Sierra Leone’s progress in visa openness demonstrates our commitment to promoting tourism, cultural exchange, and economic development. By making travel more accessible, we are creating opportunities for shared prosperity and positioning Sierra Leone as a top destination in Africa,” she said.

Sierra Leone’s improved visa policies align with broader regional initiatives aimed at fostering integration and economic cooperation. The ECOWAS region has made significant strides in reducing travel restrictions, with all but one member state, Guinea-Bissau, fully reciprocating visa-free policies.

This progress promotes seamless movement across West Africa, benefiting tourism, trade, and investment.

The focus on improving accessibility complements recent efforts to address air travel costs across the region. Just weeks ago, ECOWAS ministers approved plans to standardize aviation taxes and fees to make air travel more affordable.

Under the reforms, passenger and security charges will be reduced by 25%, with non-compliant taxes eliminated. These changes, set to take effect in January 2026, are expected to lower ticket prices, encourage higher passenger traffic, and boost economic activity.

Hon. Sani Yaya, Togo’s Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, explained the broader significance of these reforms. “Lowering charges ensures that air travel becomes an option for more citizens, further enhancing trade and tourism within our region,” he said.

Yaya also stressed that the reforms will create a ripple effect, benefiting small businesses and local economies that rely heavily on tourism and cross-border trade.

ECOWAS has not only prioritized affordability but has also taken decisive action to strengthen aviation security.

The adoption of new regional regulations ensures alignment with international safety standards, a critical step to foster trust among travelers and investors.

The initiative will allow West African countries to improve their aviation infrastructure, attract private sector investments, and promote long-term economic stability.

Regional cooperation remains a key driver of economic growth in West Africa. By addressing both cost and safety concerns, ECOWAS member states are creating an environment that supports seamless travel while unlocking the full potential of regional tourism.

This progress demonstrates a united effort to strengthen economic ties and encourage cultural exchange among nations.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.