Chad has announced that it will abolish entry visa requirements for all African nationals starting January 1, 2027, a move that positions the Central African nation among a growing number of countries on the continent embracing visa-free travel for fellow Africans.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno made the declaration during the opening of the African Water Forum in N’Djamena, framing the decision as a concrete step toward African unity and freer movement of people and goods across the continent. “Chad, the land of Toumaï, cradle of humanity, opens its borders and abolishes entry visas for all Africans from January 1, 2027,” the president said, presenting the measure as an act of solidarity and a contribution to continental integration.
With the announcement, Chad becomes the eighth African nation to implement a blanket visa-free policy for citizens of the continent. Other African countries that have extended similar open-door policies include Benin Republic, The Gambia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Ghana, Kenya, Togo, and the Republic of the Congo. In May 2026, Togo announced that Africans with a valid passport could travel to the country without visas. The Republic of Congo has also announced an identical measure set to take effect on the first day of 2027.
The announcement aligns with broader African Union goals under Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), both of which emphasise the free movement of people as essential to economic integration. As a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central, West, East, and North Africa, Chad has presented the policy as a way to facilitate business travel, tourism, diplomatic exchanges, and cross-border trade.
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has backed Chad’s decision, describing the move as a bold step towards dismantling barriers that have continued to limit workers, entrepreneurs, and businesses from fully exploiting the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA. The labour organisation also urged Nigeria and other African countries to emulate Chad’s example. “Africa cannot achieve meaningful economic integration while the movement of its people remains restricted. Goods and services do not move by themselves; they are carried, produced, traded and delivered by workers, entrepreneurs and communities,” said ITUC-Africa General Secretary Akhator Joel Odigie.
While the political commitment has been clearly stated, practical implementation details, including border procedures, any residual requirements for certain categories of travellers, and the exact duration of visa-free stays, are still expected to be clarified in the coming months. Until the new rules begin, travelers from countries not currently exempt must continue to use Chad’s existing e-visa system.
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