Ghana and Zambia have agreed to introduce visa-free travel for their citizens. Officials say the move will strengthen economic ties and support regional integration across southern and western Africa.
The agreement was unveiled during President John Dramani Mahama’s state visit to Lusaka. Talks during the visit focused on trade, tourism and diplomatic cooperation.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the deal as a landmark outcome of the trip.
Speaking to reporters, Ablakwa said the waiver would remove long-standing administrative barriers. He noted that these hurdles have affected travellers, students, entrepreneurs and professionals moving between the two countries.
He added that the decision followed a clear directive from President Mahama. According to Ablakwa, the aim is to prioritise mobility and people-to-people exchange.
“You will no longer have to worry about visa requirements,” Ablakwa said, adding that the agreement reflects a practical step toward easing travel within Africa.
President Mahama was received in Lusaka by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who welcomed the initiative as a boost for regional movement and economic cooperation. Officials from both governments said they expect the policy to encourage trade flows, tourism growth, investment and cultural exchange.
The Ghana–Zambia agreement forms part of a broader continental effort to reduce restrictions on cross-border movement. African Union initiatives, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), promote freer movement of people and goods as a foundation for expanding intra-African trade and strengthening regional value chains.
Advocates of visa liberalisation argue that removing travel barriers lowers costs for businesses. They say it also encourages tourism and allows skills and labour to move more freely across borders.
According to supporters, such measures are critical to unlocking Africa’s economic potential. They believe easier movement will help a growing population access jobs, markets and opportunities.
Ghana has taken a leading role in this effort in recent years. The country has signed multiple visa waiver agreements. It has also outlined plans to introduce an e-visa system. The system aims to simplify travel for diaspora Africans and international visitors.
As implementation begins, analysts say the Ghana–Zambia visa-free arrangement could serve as a model. Other African countries may adopt similar policies to deepen cooperation, improve connectivity and build a more open continental economy.
