Ghana and Zambia Announce Visa-Free Travel: President Mahama Inks 10 Historic Agreements in Lusaka
In a landmark move for African diplomacy and regional integration, Ghana and the Republic of Zambia have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to allow visa-free travel for all categories of passport holders.
The agreement was announced on Thursday, February 5, 2026, during President John Dramani Mahama’s three-day state visit to Lusaka. This historic deal is expected to drastically boost trade, tourism, and bilateral cooperation between the two nations, removing the bureaucratic hurdles that have previously hindered travel between West and Southern Africa.
“A Milestone for Free Movement”
Addressing the National Assembly of Zambia, President Mahama described the agreement as a significant step toward the “Africa We Want.”
“This afternoon, we have signed ten Memorandums of Understanding as the framework for our cooperation,” the President stated. “Prominent among these is the MoU to allow visa-free travel. This is an important step towards the free movement of our people on the African continent.”
The 10 agreements cover various sectors, including digital innovation, agriculture, and investment. President Mahama also took the opportunity to praise Zambia’s recent macroeconomic stability, noting that a stronger Zambian Kwacha and Ghanaian Cedi create a better environment for cross-border financial partnerships.
2 Million Desks for Ghanaian Schools
While abroad, the President also addressed pressing domestic issues back in Ghana. He announced an ambitious new educational initiative: the provision of two million desks to basic schools across Ghana by the end of 2026.
According to the President, this move is meant to fix the infrastructure gap in primary education. “By 2028, no Ghanaian pupil will have to sit on the floor to study,” he promised. Education stakeholders, including Africa Education Watch, have already welcomed the news, calling it a “long-overdue” relief for over 1.2 million children currently lacking proper seating in classrooms.
Democracy Under Pressure
During his speech in Lusaka, President Mahama also sent a strong message to the West African sub-region, where military interventions have been on the rise. He reaffirmed that Ghana remains a “beacon of democracy” and is on a mission to prove that constitutional governance can deliver tangible prosperity to its citizens without the need for military rule.
What’s Next?
The visa-free travel is expected to take effect once the administrative protocols are finalized by the immigration authorities of both countries. For Ghanaian entrepreneurs and travelers, this opens a new corridor to the Southern African market.
