Citizens of another 53 countries are now exempt from requiring visas to enter Zambia. Starting from 1 January 2025, national from a total of 167 countries can enter Zambia. This continues the liberalisation process started in 2022, which removed visa requirements for major tourism markets.

The new legislation (Statutory Instrument No 78 of 2024) does not mean a free for all with no controls. The government has created enhanced border security measures that include the deployment of more than 900 additional immigration staff and the introduction of an advanced passenger information system.

New immigration control points have also been established to manage and monitor the flow of visitors.

According to an article in Bizcommunity, ‘this progressive approach to visa policy positions Zambia as a leading example of balanced tourism growth in Africa, successfully combining open borders with robust security measures. It also aligns with the African Union’s vision for enhanced mobility and the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area’.

The target for 2023 was 1.5 million visitors with the government hoping to hit two million by the end of the decade.