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 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 aimed to deepen diplomatic ties, boost economic cooperation, and strengthen people-to-people relations.

President Mahama arrived in Lusaka on Wednesday, February 4, to a warm reception at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, where he was welcomed by his Zambian counterpart, President Hakainde Hichilema.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the visit, Mr Ablakwa described the visa waiver as one of the most significant outcomes of the trip and a central focus of bilateral discussions.

He said the move would greatly ease travel for citizens and open new opportunities in trade, tourism, investment and cultural exchange.

“As a ministry, we are prioritising smooth mobility for our people, and one of the major outcomes of this state visit is that, for the first time in the history of Ghana–Zambia relations, we will have free visa travel between our two countries,” he said.

“You will no longer have to stress about visas. This visa waiver agreement was a clear instruction from President Mahama. He told me plainly that if this was not achieved, I should not even join the visit.”

Mr Ablakwa added that the visa-free policy removes long-standing bureaucratic hurdles faced by Ghanaians and Zambians, including students, businesspeople, tourists, and professionals, and is expected to significantly enhance mobility and cooperation between the two countries.