Togo scraps visas for all African countries

Togo said on May 19 that it had removed entry visa requirements for nationals of all African countries for short stays of up to 30 days, according to reports citing an official government statement. The measure took effect on May 18, 2026, and applies to travelers holding a valid national passport. Togolese authorities said the exemption was immediate, but not unconditional. African travelers still must complete a digital pre-arrival declaration before departure. ### Does this mean any African passport holder can now enter Togo without a visa? May 18, 2026 is the effective date cited in reports on the policy, which say Togo now grants visa-free entry to nationals of all African countries for stays of up to 30 days. The exemption covers entry through land, air and sea crossings, according to VisasNews, which said it was based on a statement from Togo’s Ministry of Security. (apanews.net) The 30-day limit is the key operational detail. APAnews reported that the new exemption is “strictly applicable” to short-term stays not exceeding 30 days. Travelers planning longer stays or travel that falls outside the short-stay framework should verify separate immigration rules through official Togolese channels. ### What formalities still apply if the visa is gone? Colonel Calixte Batossie Madjoulba, Togo’s minister of security and civil protection, said travelers remain subject to immigration, national security and public health checks at border entry points, according to APAnews. (visasnews.com) The visa waiver removes the visa requirement, not the broader entry screening process. At least 24 hours before travel, African nationals must complete a mandatory digital registration on the government platform voyage.gouv.tg, APAnews and VisasNews reported. (apanews.net) That process generates a travel clearance document or travel slip that passengers must present on arrival. ### Why did Togo say it made the change now? Lomé framed the measure as part of a broader African integration policy. (apanews.net) APAnews said the official statement described the move as supporting freer movement of people and goods and deeper cooperation across the continent. VisasNews separately reported that the ministry linked the decision to promoting African integration and positioning Togo as a regional hub for services, business, culture and human exchange. May 18 also coincided with Togo hosting Biashara Afrika 2026 in Lomé, a forum on intra-African trade and investment organized with the African Continental Free Trade Area secretariat, according to the official Republic of Togo portal. The government site said the event was held under the patronage of Faure Gnassingbé, president of the council. While the government pages opened here do not explicitly tie the visa move to that event, the timing overlaps with a week of official messaging on continental trade and mobility. (apanews.net) ### Is this fully confirmed by official Togolese sources? Togo’s foreign ministry website lists visa-exemption information pages and links users to e-visa and other travel resources, but the page text available through search results did not itself display the new all-Africa announcement in full. The most detailed accounts available in accessible reporting came from APAnews and VisasNews, both of which said they were citing an official statement issued in Lomé by the Ministry of Security. (republicoftogo.com) The official foreign ministry homepage also points travelers to government travel resources, including e-visa links and visa-exemption information. That makes official government pages the clearest place to verify any implementing details before departure. ### What should travelers do next? Voyage.gouv.tg is the platform named by APAnews and VisasNews for the required pre-arrival declaration, and both reports said it must be completed at least 24 hours before travel. (diplomatie.gouv.tg) Travelers should also expect border checks tied to immigration, security and public health rules on arrival. The next practical step is verification on Togolese government channels, especially if airlines, land-border operators or immigration officers request supporting documents. (diplomatie.gouv.tg) Togo’s foreign ministry site lists visa-exemption information and travel resources, while non-African nationals who still need visas can continue using the e-visa system, according to VisasNews. (apanews.net)