According to the Henley and Partners Openness Index, eight of the world’s top 10 most open countries are in Africa, showcasing the continent’s remarkable hospitality.
This unprecedented level of openness challenges stereotypes and exemplifies a sense of unity and cooperation extending beyond borders, with 12 African countries ranking among the top 20 most open globally.
Henley and Partners, specializing in residence and citizenship by investment, recently unveiled its 2024 Openness Index, spotlighting Africa’s exceptional hospitality.
The forefront of this extraordinary ranking includes Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Kenya, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and Rwanda.
All eight countries rank among the top 10 most welcoming nations globally.
These countries hold the top position on the Henley and Partners index, allowing citizens from an impressive 198 countries to enter their borders without imposing stringent visa restrictions.
Specifically, Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Kenya, and Guinea-Bissau claim the six most open spots globally, followed closely by Micronesia and Maldives, preceding Mozambique and Rwanda.
Certain nations exemplify high openness criteria: a willingness to engage with people from various regions, hospitality, a desire to share their culture, a conducive and safe environment, and a respectable to thriving economy.
In essence, these countries boast a remarkably high openness index, serving as a key metric measuring a nation’s accessibility, receptiveness to global trade, ideas, and collaboration, reflecting economic, social, and cultural vibrancy.
Henley and Partners, renowned for residence and citizenship by investment expertise, regularly updates the Openness Index, ranking all 199 countries and territories worldwide based on the number of nationalities permitted entry without a prior visa.
Among the most open African nations, all eight share the top spot, allowing freedom of visitation for citizens from 198 countries, while Somalia and Togo also hold a commendable second position, accommodating visitors from 197 countries.
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African Countries that Lead Global Openness Index
| Rank | Country | Openness score (amount of countries that can visit) | Openness rank (globally) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Burundi | 198 | 1st |
| 2. | Cape Verde Islands | 198 | 1st |
| 3. | Comoro Islands | 198 | 1st |
| 4. | Djibouti | 198 | 1st |
| 5. | Guinea-Bissau | 198 | 1st |
| 6. | Kenya | 198 | 1st |
| 7. | Mozambique | 198 | 1st |
| 8. | Rwanda | 198 | 1st |
| 9. | Madagascar | 197 | 2nd |
| 10. | Mauritania | 197 | 2nd |