Ghana and Zambia Sign Historic Visa Waiver Agreement
Government says new visa-free policy will boost trade, tourism, investment and strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.
- Ghana and Zambia have agreed on a mutual visa waiver allowing citizens to travel without visas
- The agreement was secured during President Mahama’s three-day state visit to Zambia
- The policy is expected to enhance trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange between both countries
Ghana and Zambia have reached a landmark visa waiver agreement that will allow citizens of both countries to travel freely between the two nations without the need for visas, marking a major milestone in bilateral relations.
The breakthrough was announced by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during President John Dramani Mahama’s three-day state visit to Zambia aimed at deepening diplomatic, economic and cultural ties.
President Mahama arrived in Lusaka on Wednesday, February 4, to a warm welcome at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, where he was received by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the visit, Mr. Ablakwa described the visa waiver arrangement as one of the most significant outcomes of the trip and a central focus of discussions between both governments.
According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, the agreement is expected to ease travel restrictions and boost trade, tourism, investment and cultural exchange between Ghana and Zambia.
“We have also ensured that as a ministry, we are prioritising your smooth mobility and one of the major outcomes of this state visit… is that for the first time in the history of Ghana-Zambia relations, we are going to have a free visa between our two countries so you no longer have to stress about visas,” he stated.
“So we are going to have a visa waiver agreement. And it is one of the conditions that President Mahama gave us for this visit. He said, Foreign Minister, if you don’t make this happen, don’t join me on this visit,” Mr. Ablakwa revealed.
He further disclosed that the visa-free arrangement was a key directive personally issued by President Mahama ahead of the state visit, underscoring the administration’s commitment to strengthening regional integration and mobility across Africa.
The new policy is expected to remove longstanding bureaucratic barriers faced by Ghanaian and Zambian travellers including students, business professionals, tourists and investors while promoting closer people-to-people connections and expanding opportunities for economic cooperation between the two countries.
