Benin joins Seychelles' growing list of visa-free countries

Seychelles, 24 February 2024, Illustration of island life in the Seychelles through its landscapes and inhabitants. Photograph by Xavier Duvot / Hans Lucas. Seychelles, 24 fevrier 2024, Illustration de la vie d’insulaire aux Seychelles a travers les paysages et ses habitants. Photographie de Xavier Duvot / Hans Lucas.

Source: X07244

Seychelles has added Benin to the list of countries exempted from its visa restrictions.

Citizens of Benin who want to travel to Seychelles will no longer require visas.

This was established during the 19^th Summit of the Francophone held in France earlier this month. Both countries signed an agreement during the bilateral meeting overseen by Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sylvestre Radegonde.

Before this, Beninese citizens had to meet visa requirements for entry into the country for either tourism or other purposes.

The move forms part of efforts to further strengthen its passport which has been ranked as the strongest in Africa.

Seychelles is currently ranked as the most influential passports in Africa and 24^th globally according to the Henley & Partners 2024 rankings.

The country has the largest number of countries (156) that its citizens have visa exemptions for when travelling.

The island nation has made remarkable progress, climbing from 46th place in 2006 to its current global rank.

Wonder Hagan