Ghana and Zambia have concluded a reciprocal visa-free travel agreement, easing movement between West and Southern Africa after high-level talks in Lusaka.
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA — 2026-02-05
Updated: 14:30 GMT
Ghana and Zambia have agreed to a reciprocal visa-free travel arrangement for their citizens following bilateral talks held in Lusaka during an official state visit, according to Ghanaian government officials and ministerial statements reported by regional media.
The agreement was reached during a three-day state visit to Zambia by John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana, at the invitation of Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, according to an official statement from the Office of the President of Ghana confirming the visit and its bilateral agenda.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, publicly confirmed the visa-free travel agreement during engagements in Lusaka, describing it as one of the formal outcomes of the talks between the two governments, according to reporting by MyJoyOnline and other Ghanaian state-linked media outlets.
Officials said the arrangement will remove visa requirements for Ghanaian and Zambian passport holders traveling between the two countries, simplifying entry procedures and facilitating movement for official, business, and personal travel, according to the foreign affairs ministry statements cited in the reports.
"For the first time in the history of Ghana-Zambia relations, we're going to have a free visa between our two countries." - Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announces that an agreement has been reached with Zambia for visa-free travel between the two… pic.twitter.com/tgsvZAgo11
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) February 4, 2026
Ghana’s foreign affairs minister said the agreement reflects a shared commitment by both governments to deepen bilateral relations and ease movement between their citizens, according to remarks reported by Ghanaian media covering the state visit.
Zambian authorities welcomed the agreement as part of broader efforts to strengthen diplomatic cooperation with Ghana, according to coverage citing officials familiar with the bilateral discussions held during the visit.
Visa liberalisation between African states aligns with ongoing continental efforts to reduce barriers to movement and strengthen people-to-people ties. Several African countries have adopted bilateral or unilateral visa-free regimes as part of wider integration objectives under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework and related mobility initiatives.
The Ghana–Zambia agreement links West and Southern Africa through direct travel facilitation and reflects a growing trend among African governments to use bilateral diplomacy to advance mobility, trade, and cooperation across regions.
WHAT’S NEXT
Implementation of the visa-free arrangement will be handled by immigration authorities in both countries, according to officials. Further procedural guidance, including entry conditions and timelines for enforcement, is expected to be issued through official government channels.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
