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The world’s most powerful passports in 2024 revealed: European countries dominate the top 20, but it’s the UAE that’s No.1, while the UK and the U.S slide further down the ranking

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The world's most powerful passports for 2024 have been revealed - and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) tops the charts for the fourth year in a row
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The world’s most powerful passports for 2024 have been revealed – and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) tops the charts for the fourth year in a row.

The global ranking indicates the number of countries citizens around the world can enter visa-free. Those living in the UAE have access to more than 90 per cent of the world and are able to visit 133 countries visa-free and 47 by virtue of a visa on arrival.

The rest of the top 20 is dominated by European countries, with 19 of the top 20 most powerful countries located in Europe.

Spain overtakes Germany (5th) to become the second most powerful passport in the world, while Finland jumps into third place ahead of France(4th), Belgium (6th) and Italy (7th). France’s passport remains the strongest of the G20 nations.

The UK continues to slide down the ranking, dropping 10 places from 22nd to 32nd in 2024. UK passport holders are able to visit 125 countries visa-free and 49 by virtue of a visa on arrival. It last held a place in the top 10 in 2017.

The USA also sees its passport fall further in the index, falling from 27th to 38th. U.S citizens can visit 123 countries without a visa and 50 by virtue of a visa on arrival. The U.S last held a top 20 ranking in 2019.

Arton Capital, which produced the ranking, says in a statement: ‘With the new Trump administration incoming, it remains to be seen what steps the U.S will take to stop the downgrade of its once-great passport. Currently the weakest passport in the G7group of nations, Trump’s incoming administration has all the motivations to make the U.S passport great again.’

However, the American passport remains more powerful than its ‘greatest competitor’, China, whose passport ranks at 110 in the power index.

GLOBAL PASSPORT POWER INDEX 2024

MOST POWERFUL PASSPORTS 

1 . UAE (most powerful)

2. Spain

3. Finland

4. France

5. Germany

6. Belgium

7. Italy

8. Denmark

9. Netherlands

10. Luxembourg

11. Austria

12. Portugal

13. Norway

14. Switzerland

15. Greece

16. Ireland

17. Sweden

18. Poland

19. Hungary

20. Czech Republic

LEAST POWERFUL PASSPORTS

1.  Syria (least powerful)

2. Afghanistan

3. Iraq

4. Somalia

5. Pakistan

6. Yemen

7. Bangladesh

8. Palestinian Territories

9. Libya

10. North Korea

Source: Arton Capital

South Korea’s passport is the strongest in Asia, despite falling from 17th to 21st, compared to last year’s ranking. Japan (25th) and Singapore (30th) are the next most powerful Asian passports.

Further west in central Asia, Kazakhstan (114th) and Uzbekistan (140th) each climb this year’s ranking, in a trend continued from previous years.

In the Middle East, conflict continues to negatively impact the mobility scores of the countries in the region, remarked Arton Capital, with governments tightening travel restrictions and visa issuances.

The UK continues to slide down the ranking, dropping 10 places from 22nd to 32nd in 2024. UK passport holders are able to visit 125 countries visa-free and 49 by virtue of a visa on arrival

 

HOW DOES THE PASSPORT RANKING WORK?

‘When countries possess equal scores, countries are ranked from then on in order of their Human Development Index (HDI) data that is set by the United Nations Development Programme. The HDI is a composite index measuring average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of living. Countries with higher HDI scores tend to have stronger passports, offering more visa-free access due to better living standards and a stronger international reputation.’ Arton Capital

Earlier this year, the statement points out, Schengen nations warned citizens against travelling to and from Israel and Palestine, while Israel temporarily stopped issuing visas to humanitarian workers.’

Hrant Boghossian, co-founder of the ranking, says: ‘The World Openness Score remained flat this year – the post-Covid recovery jump we noticed in the past few years is truly over.

‘Unsurprisingly, European passports are overwhelmingly the best ranked, ahead of larger economies like the United States and China. Nearly all countries in the Balkans experienced growth in their mobility this year, a positive trend in the region we hope will continue.

‘Geopolitical factors including elections and conflicts continue to influence global mobility. Despite this, we are still seeing countries collaborate and governments recognise the opportunities that visa-free agreements represent.’

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Lagos: Cause of Ijora-Badia explosion revealed

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Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has revealed the real cause of the explosion that rocked the Ijora-Badia area of Lagos on Sunday afternoon, injuring no fewer than 15 people.

According to a statement by the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, the explosion occurred around 4:10 p.m. inside a mini shop stocked with 25kg gas cylinders.

The shop, located within a bungalow that housed 15 self-contained rooms and seven other shops, reportedly had five gas cylinders at the time of the incident.

Adeseye attributed the explosion to the mishandling of gas, which caused a leak that was ignited by a nearby flame.

“It was a case of poor handling of gas products, which unfortunately allowed gas to escape and come in contact with a flame. This triggered the explosion,” she confirmed.

The resulting fire, she said, was promptly extinguished by a team of firefighters from the Sari Iganmu Fire Station, with support from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and LASAMBUS.

While no fatalities were recorded, 15 persons sustained varying degrees of burn injuries.

Adeseye noted that several victims were treated with first aid on-site, while others were taken to nearby hospitals for further medical care.

She also assured residents that the area has since been secured and normalcy restored.

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Take-It-Back protesters scamper for safety as police fire tear gas during protest in Abuja.

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Officers of the Nigeria Police Force dispersed protesters with tear gas in the Maitama area of Abuja.

The protesters, who had gathered on Monday, April 7, scattered in different directions as the tear gas canisters were fired in their midst.

The protest is part of a nationwide demonstration spearheaded by the Take-It-Back Movement and other civil society organisations.

Key among the concerns raised by the organisers are the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act, the worsening economic hardship in the country, and what they described as a “state of emergency” in Rivers State.

The demonstrators carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe”.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore was also present at the protest ground.

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How I caught lots of people’s wives with big men, governors – Ali Baba

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Veteran Nigerian comedian, Ali Baba, has revealed that he has caught numerous wives of his friends and associates engaging in extramarital affairs with governors and wealthy politicians.

He made this revelation during an appearance on the Outside the Box podcast.

Speaking candidly about the unsavoury activities prevalent among the nation’s elite, the comedian recounted a particular encounter in which he saw the wife of an associate at the residence of a state governor.

He said: “I have been in the houses of a lot of big men—like governors and the rest—and I see wives of a lot of people that I know doing things, and I greet, ‘How are you? How is everything?’

“And then those guys would do their philandering, tap her bum and say, ‘Go back inside, I’m not finished with you,’ and she went back inside. Then I ran into her at an event, and her husband said, ‘Oh, how are you? Meet my wife.’ I responded, ‘Oh madam, it’s a pleasure. I haven’t seen you in five years. Where have you been?’ And she’s like, ‘I’ve been around, good to see you.’

“When she sees me somewhere after, she calls me and says, ‘Ali, thanks,’ I say, ‘It’s okay.’”

Ali Baba’s account casts a sharp light on the often unspoken indiscretions that occur behind closed doors in high society.

Credit: Blaze 91.5 FM

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