Nigerian passport holders will be able to travel to Chad and the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) without obtaining entry visas from January 1, 2027, following decisions by the two Central African countries to waive visa requirements for citizens of all African nations.
The new policies are expected to make it easier for Nigerians and other African nationals to travel, conduct business and strengthen people-to-people relations across the continent.
Chad Announces Visa-Free Entry for Africans
Chad is set to abolish visa requirements for citizens of African countries effective January 1, 2027.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno announced the decision in July 2026, describing the policy as part of efforts to promote the movement of people and goods across Africa.
Under the new arrangement, Nigerian citizens and other African nationals will no longer be required to obtain an entry visa before travelling to Chad, subject to applicable immigration, administrative and security requirements.
Republic of Congo Joins Visa-Waiver Initiative
In a similar development, the Republic of the Congo, commonly known as Congo-Brazzaville, has announced plans to remove visa requirements for African nationals from January 1, 2027.
President Denis Sassou Nguesso disclosed the decision during the 2026 African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings held in Brazzaville.
According to the President, citizens of all African countries will be permitted to enter the Republic of the Congo without visas from the effective date, subject to minimal administrative and security procedures.
Boost for African Integration
The visa-waiver decisions are expected to contribute to broader efforts to facilitate the free movement of Africans across the continent, deepen regional integration and promote trade, investment and tourism.
The policies also align with the broader objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to strengthen economic integration by making it easier for people, goods and services to move across African borders.
For Nigerians, the development represents a significant easing of travel requirements and could open up new opportunities for business, tourism, education and cultural exchanges in both countries.
The decisions by Chad and the Republic of the Congo further reinforce growing calls for African countries to reduce barriers to intra-African travel and advance the vision of a more integrated and interconnected continent.
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