Nigeria, Angola Waive Visa for Diplomatic Passport Holders

Nigeria and Angola have signed a bilateral visa exemption agreement allowing holders of diplomatic and official passports to travel between both countries without the need for entry visas, in a move aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and deepening cooperation.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, signed on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, while Angola’s Minister of External Relations, Téte António, signed for the government of Angola. Officials from both countries described the agreement as a significant milestone in bilateral relations, noting that it would facilitate easier movement for government officials, diplomats and other holders of official passports engaged in state functions. According to diplomatic sources, the visa waiver is limited strictly to diplomatic and official passport holders and does not extend to ordinary passport holders, tourists or private business travellers. Citizens of both countries who hold regular passports will continue to be subject to existing visa requirements until further agreements are reached. The deal is expected to enhance cooperation in areas such as trade, security, energy and multilateral diplomacy. Analysts say such agreements often serve as a foundation for broader engagements, including economic partnerships and future discussions on expanding visa liberalisation frameworks. Both Nigeria and Angola play influential roles within African regional politics and energy markets, being major oil-producing nations on the continent. Observers believe the agreement aligns with ongoing continental efforts to promote freer movement of officials and strengthen intergovernmental collaboration across Africa. The signing comes amid renewed calls for deeper African integration and improved diplomatic mobility among member states of the African Union. While the agreement does not immediately impact general travel for citizens, it signals growing strategic alignment between Abuja and Luanda.