Somalia's passport sees slight boost to 102nd in global power rankings

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Thursday January 9, 2025

FILE - A selection of Somali passports held by a Somali citizen. The passports symbolize Somalia's recent climb to 102nd place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 35 destinations.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s passport has climbed to 102nd place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 35 destinations worldwide.

Somalia’s passport ranking has seen minimal changes over the past decade. In 2015, it was ranked 108th. While the current ranking represents progress, it pales in comparison to countries like the United Arab Emirates, which has surged 32 places over the same period, now holding 10th place with visa-free access to 185 destinations.

The Henley Passport Index, a globally recognized ranking system, evaluates the travel privileges of 199 passports based on their access to 227 destinations without requiring a visa. Somalia’s position illustrates the ongoing limitations of its travel freedom, particularly compared to top-ranked Singapore, whose passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 195 destinations.

The 2025 report sheds light on global inequality in mobility, with African nations disproportionately affected by visa restrictions. Somalia’s passport ranking aligns with broader trends across the continent, where visa rejection rates remain high. Research shows that African applicants for Schengen visas are twice as likely to face rejection compared to applicants from other regions.

Professor Mehari Taddele Maru of the Migration Policy Centre attributes the disparity to systemic issues. “High rejection rates for African applicants reflect a combination of weak economies and discriminatory policies that reinforce global mobility inequality,” he said.

Countries such as Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, and Ghana experience rejection rates exceeding 47%, leaving African citizens at the bottom of the mobility ladder and limiting their access to global opportunities.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, called for a rethink of the global mobility framework. “The privilege of travel often depends on the ‘birthright lottery.’ Addressing this inequality is critical as displaced populations and restricted mobility become more pressing global issues,” Kaelin stated.

The 2025 Henley report spotlights the increasing reliance on digital border controls such as the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system and Europe’s new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). These systems aim to streamline border crossings but could present additional challenges for nations like Somalia, where access to digital infrastructure remains limited.

“The move toward digital travel is a paradigm shift,” said Nick Careen, Senior Vice President at IATA. “While these technologies enhance efficiency and personalization for travellers, they risk deepening existing disparities for countries with weaker infrastructure.”

Efforts by the Somali government to improve international relations and modernize passport issuance have yet to yield significant gains in travel freedoms. Limited mobility affects Somali citizens’ access to education, employment, and global integration opportunities. As international travel systems evolve, nations with restricted passport power may find themselves further marginalized.

The Henley Passport Index, established in 2006, ranks passports based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It has become a key resource for tracking global travel trends and mobility. The 2025 rankings are accompanied by the Henley Global Mobility Report, which provides expert commentary on the geopolitical factors shaping the global travel landscape.

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