February 16, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
Nigeria and Angola have taken a significant step toward closer diplomatic and economic cooperation by signing a visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports, officials announced on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The deal is aimed at facilitating easier official travel between the two African nations and strengthening bilateral relations.
Under the agreement, diplomats and government officials travelling on official business between Nigeria and Angola will no longer be required to obtain visas before departure. The move is expected to streamline diplomatic engagements, ease bureaucratic barriers, and encourage more frequent high-level exchanges in areas such as trade, security cooperation, and regional policy discussions.
Both Nigeria and Angola emphasised that the visa waiver pertains only to diplomatic and official passport holders, and does not currently extend to ordinary or tourist passport holders. Government representatives noted that this phase of cooperation reflects a mutual desire to enhance political dialogue and collaboration while building trust and understanding at the highest levels of government.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the agreement as “a milestone in strengthening our strategic partnership with Angola”, highlighting shared interests in regional stability, economic development, and cooperation within continental bodies such as the African Union. Angola’s diplomatic mission similarly welcomed the arrangement, saying it would promote efficiency in official interactions and reflect growing ties between the two nations.
Analysts say that by facilitating easier official travel, the countries open doors for expanded joint initiatives, including potential collaboration on infrastructure, energy, trade facilitation, and peacekeeping support within Africa. The agreement also underscores a broader trend of increasing diplomatic engagement among African states seeking to deepen continental cooperation.
While ordinary travellers and business visitors must still obtain visas under existing rules, officials said further discussions could consider expanding visa flexibility in the future, depending on how the current arrangement enhances bilateral activities.
As Nigeria and Angola celebrate the formalisation of this diplomatic accord, observers expect exchange missions, joint committees, and intergovernmental cooperation to accelerate — signalling a concerted effort by both countries to build stronger ties on a continent increasingly focused on intra-African cooperation and mobility.