Congo-Brazzaville has taken steps to remove visa requirements for African passport holders, although travellers will still need electronic authorisation to enter the country under the proposed policy.
The country’s cabinet approved a bill on October 14, 2026, to implement the visa exemption, following President Denis Sassou N’Guesso’s announcement in May that the measure would take effect from January 1, 2027.
However, the proposal must still be considered and approved by parliament before it can become law.
According to a cabinet communiqué published by the Congolese News Agency, eligible African travellers would be required to obtain an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) despite being exempt from entry visas.
The planned reform is intended to make travel across African countries easier while maintaining controls to address irregular migration, human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts across the continent to reduce barriers to movement and strengthen regional integration.
Details of the electronic authorisation system are yet to be finalised. Information on application fees, processing times, validity periods and possible exemptions has not been officially confirmed.
A travel industry report also indicated that Congo’s Interior Ministry was preparing digital services for electronic visas and travel authorisations, although the proposed procedures remain subject to official clarification.
The policy concerns the Republic of the Congo, commonly known as Congo-Brazzaville, whose capital is Brazzaville, and not its neighbouring country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The extent to which the reform will simplify travel for African visitors will depend on the final rules and how the electronic authorisation system is implemented.
