Traveling to Congo-Brazzaville: Visa Exemption for Africans, But Not a Cheaper Trip

Traveling to Congo-Brazzaville may soon require fewer administrative steps for Tunisian travelers, but it will not necessarily mean lower costs. The country plans to abolish the visa requirement for African nationals while maintaining an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Furthermore, an Electronic Visa (e-Visa) is being prepared for travelers who will remain subject to this obligation.

The project was reviewed during the Congolese Council of Ministers on October 14, 2026. According to the report published by the Congolese Information Agency (ACI), the government intends to modify the legal framework governing the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners. The text must still be examined and adopted by Parliament before the reform can take effect.

For Tunisians, this development could simplify travel to Brazzaville. As Tunisia is an African country, its nationals fall within the geographical scope of the announced exemption. If the measure is adopted and applied according to the planned modalities, they could travel to the Republic of Congo without a visa. However, this exemption would not mean entry without formalities. Indeed, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) should remain necessary.

This direction follows an announcement by Congolese President Denis Sassou N’Guesso on May 25, 2026, on the occasion of Africa Day. The objective is to facilitate the movement of continental nationals while maintaining prior control of travelers through a digital procedure.

The outlines of the system are also beginning to appear online. In an article published on October 15, 2026, VisasNews reported identifying a test platform presenting the future e-Visa and ETA services of Congo. The portal of the Ministry of Interior and Decentralization also announces their upcoming availability. According to information gathered by this specialized media outlet, the platform presents, among other things, envisaged parameters for the ETA, including a validity of 24 months and stays of up to 90 days per entry. However, these indications remain to be confirmed, as they come from a test environment and do not constitute, at this stage, officially established definitive conditions.

Nevertheless, the potential abolition of the visa will not resolve the entire issue of travel costs. For a departure from Tunis to Brazzaville, prices displayed by comparison sites can reach several hundred euros for a one-way ticket. For reference, some offers found online are around 760 to 800 euros for a one-way ticket, while a round trip can approach 1,400 euros, depending on the airline, dates, and layovers. This represents approximately 2,600 to 2,700 Tunisian dinars for a one-way ticket and nearly 4,800 dinars for a round trip, based on an indicative exchange rate. These amounts are not fixed prices and must be verified at the time of booking.

The travel budget could therefore remain a barrier for some travelers, even if administrative procedures are simplified. Prices vary notably depending on the route chosen, connections, and ticket conditions. Offers through partner airlines may also differ from those offered directly by carriers.

The timeline also remains to be clarified. While January 1, 2027, has been announced for the visa exemption for African nationals, the launch date of the electronic platforms and the definitive modalities for applications have not yet been clearly established.

And for the record, Congo would not be the first African country to take this path. It would rather join the ranks of states seeking to facilitate movement on the continent by abolishing the visa requirement for African nationals. Rwanda, Benin, Seychelles, Gambia, and Togo are notably among the countries that have adopted or announced measures in favor of this openness, according to their specific modalities. Ghana has also initiated a visa-free access policy for African nationals.