Industry leaders have welcomed Zambia’s “progressive” visa policy relaxing requirements for another 53 countries from January 1.

This brings to 167 the total number of countries that no longer require a visa to enter Zambia for tourism or trade – including major global source markets.

The move reinforces the country's position as a leader in progressive Southern African tourism policies.

Honourable Jack Jacob Mwiimbu, Zambia’s Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, announced the visa waiver at a press briefing on International Migrants Day. This is a significant step in the government’s ongoing efforts to open the country to the world and enhance economic growth while ensuring security.

He was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Rikki Josephs Akafumba, the Director General of Immigration, Dr Japhet Lishomwa, and the Director General of the Zambia Tourism Agency, Matongo Matamwandi.

The visa waiver is a direct response to the call by President Hakainde Hichilema for Zambia to diversify its economy and attract international visitors. By lowering barriers to entry, the government is aiming to increase the number of tourists and create new opportunities for trade and investment. Mwiimbu pointed out that this move will unlock significant economic opportunities for the country through tourism, trade in goods and services and job creation.

“This step is in alignment with Zambia’s national migration policy, which emphasises that well-managed migration is crucial for sustainable economic development,” he said.

The waiver is a continuation of the government’s efforts to make Zambia a key player in the global economy, following a similar visa waiver for 43 countries in 2022, added Mwiimbu. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, conducted comprehensive consultations with stakeholders to ensure the visa waiver aligns with national security concerns and the sustainable growth of Zambia’s tourism sector.

This significant policy shift is supported by enhanced border security measures, including a new advanced passenger information system and deployment of over 900 additional immigration staff.

The government has also established new immigration control points across the country to ensure effective management of increased visitor flows. This progressive approach to visa policy positions Zambia as a leading example of balanced tourism growth in Africa, combining open borders with robust security measures. It aligns with the African Union's vision for increased mobility and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

"Zambia's commitment to removing barriers for international travellers demonstrates a clear understanding of what the tourism industry needs to thrive," said Jillian Blackbeard, CEO of Africa's Eden. "The approach proves that countries can successfully balance tourism growth with border management. The positive impact of the 2022 visa waiver programme has already shown how the right policies can transform tourism accessibility."

Meanwhile, South Africa is also making significant progress in visa liberalisation efforts, having introduced the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) to streamline visa processes for tourists from China and India.

Set to launch this month, the TTOS will allow vetted tour operators to benefit from reduced red tape and faster visa application turnaround times for large tour groups. This initiative addresses challenges such as processing delays and language barriers that previously hindered tourism from these key markets.

The progressive stance in visa liberalisation, however, stands in stark contrast to recent announcements from neighbouring Namibia, which plans to introduce new visa requirements for 31 countries, including key tourism markets, from April 1.

"While Zambia and South Africa are setting a benchmark for visa openness in the region, we're concerned about the opposite approach taken elsewhere," noted David Frost, CEO of SATSA, the voice of inbound tourism in South Africa. "Namibia's new visa requirements, particularly during a crucial recovery period for tourism, could impact visitor numbers significantly. The success of Zambia's open-door policy clearly demonstrates that visa liberalisation can be a powerful tool for tourism growth."

The contrast is particularly noteworthy as Namibia simultaneously launched “Air Connect Namibia” – an initiative aimed at enhancing international air access. Tourism experts suggest the new visa requirements, which include fees of N$1 600 (approximately US$88) for non-African Union visitors, might counteract efforts to improve accessibility through improved air connectivity.

Ongoing commitment to visa liberalisation by Zambia and South Africa is expected to further strengthen their position as leading tourism destinations in Southern Africa – providing an example of progressive visa policies supporting tourism sector growth while maintaining border integrity.