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Ghana and Zambia have reached a historic visa waiver agreement that will allow citizens of both countries to travel freely without the requirement of visas.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during President John Dramani Mahama’s three-day state visit to Zambia, which is focused on strengthening diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people relations between the two nations.
President Mahama arrived in Zambia on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, and was warmly received at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the visit, Mr Ablakwa described the visa waiver agreement as one of the most significant outcomes of the trip and a major milestone in Ghana-Zambia relations.
According to him, the removal of visa requirements is expected to boost trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchanges between the two countries, while also easing long-standing travel challenges faced by citizens.
“We have also ensured that as a ministry, we are prioritising your smooth mobility and one of the major outcomes of this state visit, which you will hear President John Dramani Mahama talk about, 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 said.
Mr Ablakwa further revealed that the visa-free arrangement was a key directive from President Mahama ahead of the visit, stressing that the President considered it a non-negotiable priority.
“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,” he added.
The agreement is expected to significantly improve mobility for students, business owners, tourists, professionals, and other travellers, while deepening cooperation and solidarity between Ghana and Zambia.
Observers say the visa waiver deal reflects a broader commitment by both countries to African integration and aligns with efforts to promote regional cooperation and intra-African movement.
