Addressing journalists, Ablakwa called the agreement “one of the most significant outcomes” of the trip, saying it would remove “long-standing bureaucratic hurdles” suffered by students, businesspeople, tourists and professionals.
“You will no longer have to stress about visas,” he said, noting the waiver was a key directive from President Mahama.
President Mahama was welcomed in Lusaka by his Zambian counterpart, President Hakainde Hichilema, who welcomed the pact as a boost for regional mobility.
Boosting regional connectivity and economic cooperation
The visa waiver reflects a broader push among African states to ease cross-border movement as part of wider regional integration efforts.
African Union frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) envision freer movement of people and goods as a way to grow intra-African trade and investment. Advocates say visa liberalisation reduces the cost and complexity of travel, supporting business expansion and stronger cultural ties.
Economists and regional integration supporters argue that more visa waiver agreements across Africa would stimulate intra-continental tourism, trade, and labour mobility, making business and travel easier for citizens across the continent.
As Ghana and Zambia begin implementing the waiver, observers say the pact could serve as a model for other African nations seeking to strengthen economic cooperation and build an Africa that is more connected and open.
