Ethiopia ranks 50th for inbound access, 169th for passport mobility
Ethiopia ranks 50th globally for inbound access, indicating ease of entry for foreign passport holders, but its passport mobility is significantly lower at 169th. Ethiopian citizens have visa-free or simplified access to only 19.7% of destinations, including Kenya, Rwanda, and Singapore, though specific entry formalities often apply. The country also ranks low among African and BRICS nations for passport mobility.
Why it matters
These rankings reflect Ethiopia's international standing, its openness to foreign visitors, and the travel freedom of its citizens, impacting tourism, business, and diplomatic relations. Low passport mobility can hinder economic opportunities and personal freedoms for Ethiopians, affecting their ability to engage globally.
Passport Reports, which publishes passport analyses for 199 countries in 34 languages, places Ethiopia 50th worldwide in a ranking of countries by the ease of entry they offer foreign passport holders. Its 18 October 2026 update of the Ethiopia passport ranking puts Ethiopian passport holders in 169th place globally. The two figures measure different directions of international travel: entry into Ethiopia and trips abroad by Ethiopian citizens.
The Ethiopian passport has a mobility score of 39 , providing visa-free or simplified access to 19.7% of the 198 destinations counted outside Ethiopia. That consists of 13 visa-free destinations, 22 destinations offering visas on arrival or related facilitated-entry arrangements, and four destinations in the electronic travel authorisation category. An advance visa is required for the remaining 159 destinations.
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