Zambia has announced the waiver of visa requirements for nationals of 53 additional countries, effective January 1, building on its successful 2022 initiative that removed visa requirements for major tourism markets. The move reinforces the country’s position as a leader in progressive tourism policies in Southern Africa.
The further liberalisation of its visa regime, formalised through Statutory Instrument No. 78 of 2024, brings the total number of visa-exempt countries to 167. This significant policy shift, announced by President Hakainde Hichilema’s government, will be supported by enhanced border security measures, including a new advanced passenger information system and the 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. This approach 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,” says Jillian Blackbeard, CEO of Africa’s Eden. “Their approach proves that countries can successfully balance tourism growth with border management. The positive impact of their 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 in January 2025, 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 have 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, effective April 1, 2025.
“While Zambia and South Africa are setting a benchmark for visa openness in the region, we’re concerned about the opposite approach being taken elsewhere,” notes 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 that 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 better air connectivity.
Zambia and South Africa’s continued commitment to visa liberalisation is expected to further strengthen their position as leading tourism destinations in Southern Africa, offering an example of how progressive visa policies can support tourism sector growth while maintaining border integrity.
