Chad has announced plans to eliminate entry visa requirements for all African nationals from January 1, 2027.
The policy will make Chad the eighth African country to adopt a blanket visa-free entry policy for citizens across the continent, joining countries including Rwanda and Kenya.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby said the measure is intended to enable smoother movement of people and goods across Africa and position Chad among the continent’s open-border initiatives.
Nigerian passport holders already have visa-free access to Chad.
Chad’s position as a landlocked country bordering six nations gives the decision wider geopolitical significance. The country serves as a crossroads linking North, West, Central and East Africa.
The government believes removing visa application delays and waiting periods could bring immediate practical benefits. The move is expected to increase tourist and business arrivals while acting as a form of soft diplomacy that may encourage neighbouring countries to adopt reciprocal measures.
The decision also aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 framework and complements the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seek to reduce longstanding barriers to trade and mobility across Africa.
