Henley 2025 Findings
Henley & Partners’ January 2025 update places the South Sudanese passport at 97th worldwide, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to only 43 destinations, down from 83 last year (Henley Passport Index 2025).
Steep Fall in Mobility Score
The ranking drop is stark: in 2024 the document stood 73rd globally and third in Africa. Losing access to forty destinations over twelve months positions South Sudan near the bottom of the 199-country table monitored monthly by IATA data.
Regional Standing in East Africa
In East Africa, Kenya ranks 73rd with 70 accessible states, Uganda 76th with 67, Ethiopia 96th with 44, and Sudan 98th with 41, leaving Juba wedged between Addis Ababa and Khartoum in the mobility hierarchy.
Factors Behind the Setback
Analysts trace the reversal to shifting visa regimes, stalled bilateral talks, and lingering perceptions of instability inside South Sudan. Limited funding for the immigration department further constrained outreach, a point acknowledged recently by Director General Gen. Elia Costa on Eye Radio.
Expert Reactions
“Passport strength mirrors global trust and national governance,” argued a Nairobi-based regional analyst, urging sustained diplomacy and clearer reform milestones to rebuild confidence among partner states.
Government’s Next Steps
Officials in Juba say they intend to widen bilateral visa agreements and intensify regional cooperation forums during 2025, signalling hope that next year’s rankings may stabilise if reforms, funding, and security initiatives align.