Wayne Lumbasi
Chad has announced that it will abolish entry visa requirements for all African nationals beginning January 1, 2027, in a landmark move aimed at promoting continental integration and easing travel across Africa.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno made the announcement during the opening of the African Water Forum in N’Djamena, declaring that Chad would open its borders to citizens of all African countries without requiring entry visas.
The decision aligns with the African Union’s long-standing vision of improving the free movement of people across the continent and complements the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to boost trade, investment, tourism, and regional cooperation.
With the policy, Chad joins a growing list of African nations that have eased travel restrictions for fellow Africans, including Rwanda, Benin, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Togo, Seychelles, and the Republic of the Congo, which has also announced plans to introduce visa-free entry for all African nationals from January 2027.
The Chadian government has not yet released detailed implementation guidelines, including the permitted duration of visa-free stays or any additional entry requirements that may apply after the policy takes effect.
The announcement is expected to strengthen business links, tourism, educational exchanges, and people-to-people connections while reinforcing momentum toward greater African integration.
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