Zambia and Ghana have agreed a landmark visa-free travel arrangement that will allow citizens of both countries to travel between the two nations without visas, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing Africa’s integration agenda.
The agreement was announced during the official three-day State Visit of Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, to Zambia and follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding witnessed by President Mahama and his Zambian counterpart, President Hakainde Hichilema, in Lusaka.
For the first time in the history of relations between the two countries, the visa waiver will facilitate seamless movement for tourists, businesspeople, students, professionals and cultural practitioners. Both governments say the move is expected to stimulate tourism growth, boost trade and investment, promote cultural exchange and deepen people-to-people relations.
President Mahama arrived in Lusaka on Wednesday, 4 February, to a warm reception at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, where he was welcomed by President Hichilema. His visit aimed to deepen diplomatic ties, enhance economic cooperation and strengthen people-to-people relations between the two nations.
In a statement, Zambia’s Ministry of Tourism described the agreement as a historic milestone and a strong demonstration of the country’s commitment to open borders and inclusive development. The Ministry said the decision aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of a connected, prosperous and integrated continent, and reinforces Zambia’s efforts to position itself as a preferred tourism and investment destination in Africa.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed the visa waiver as one of the most significant outcomes of President Mahama’s visit, describing it as a central focus of bilateral discussions.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the visit, Mr Ablakwa said the policy would significantly ease mobility for citizens of both countries and open new opportunities in trade, tourism, investment and cultural exchange.
“For the first time in the history of Ghana–Zambia relations, our citizens will enjoy free visa travel between our two countries,” he said, adding that the agreement removes long-standing bureaucratic hurdles faced by travellers, including students, businesspeople, tourists and professionals.
The Zambia agreement builds on Ghana’s broader push to expand global mobility for its citizens. Since 2025, Ghana has significantly widened its visa-free travel arrangements, ratifying agreements with countries including Morocco, Mozambique, Colombia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Dominica, Serbia, Algeria, Angola, and Antigua and Barbuda. These additions are aimed at boosting tourism, trade and diplomatic engagement, bringing the number of visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations for Ghanaian passport holders to over 60, spanning Africa, the Caribbean and parts of Asia.
Both governments view the visa-free arrangement as a practical step towards closer African cooperation and a model for expanding mobility across the continent.
