This archive report was first published on 14 January 2022.
Kenya and Tanzania have made significant strides in international mobility, with their passports now ranking as the eighth most powerful in Africa and 71 globally, as per the Henley Passport Index Report released on January 14, 2022.
The report shows that the number of countries Kenyans can visit without a visa or obtain one on arrival has increased to 72 from 64 in January last year, marking a six-place improvement in the country's mobility score.
The Henley Passport Index measures the number of countries that a person holding a particular passport can visit without a visa or obtain one on arrival. Kenya's improved ranking is a testament to the country's efforts to enhance its travel document.
Kenya's new chip-embedded passports, which were rolled out in a bid to curb rampant forgery and impersonation, have contributed to the country's improved ranking. The e-passports have a 10-year validity period and have joined the ranks of 60 other countries that use similar passports.
Japan and Singapore tied for the top spot, with citizens of these countries able to visit 192 countries without visas. Germany emerged third in the global ranking.
