Ghana and Zambia have signed 10 bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding covering areas including visas, trade, defence, aviation and health regulation, Ghana’s presidency said on Wednesday, as President John Mahama concluded an official visit to Lusaka.
The accords are aimed at deepening political, economic and institutional ties between the two countries, building on renewed diplomatic engagement since 2023.
Among the most significant agreements is a visa waiver that eliminates entry requirements for holders of diplomatic, official or service, and ordinary passports. The move is expected to ease travel, promote tourism, facilitate business engagement and strengthen people-to-people ties.
On the economic front, the two countries signed memorandums of understanding between the Ghana Export Promotion Authority and the Zambia Development Agency, as well as between their respective national standards authorities. The agreements provide a framework for cooperation in trade promotion, standardisation, conformity assessment and technical training, with the aim of reducing non-tariff barriers and supporting cross-border commerce.
The accords also cover air transport, with the signing of a bilateral air services agreement intended to enhance connectivity between the two countries. Officials say improved air links could support trade, investment and tourism, while creating opportunities for airlines operating within the region.
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Security cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with the signing of an addendum to an existing military defence cooperation agreement. While details were not disclosed, the addendum is expected to strengthen collaboration in training, intelligence sharing and defence capacity building.
In the health sector, Ghana and Zambia concluded agreements to enhance cooperation between their respective regulatory authorities, including those responsible for overseeing food and pharmaceutical products. The arrangements aim to improve regulatory alignment, product safety and access to quality medical supplies.
“These agreements reaffirm the strong bonds of friendship between Ghana and Zambia and underscore the shared commitment of both nations to deepening bilateral relations, strengthening institutional collaboration, and promoting sustainable development for the mutual benefit of their people,” the Ghanaian presidency said in a statement.
Mahama’s visit comes as Ghana seeks to strengthen ties with regional partners as part of its broader foreign policy and economic diplomacy agenda, including boosting intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Relations between Ghana and Zambia gained renewed momentum in 2023, when the two countries established a permanent joint commission for cooperation and signed several bilateral accords. The commission was designed to provide a structured mechanism for regular dialogue, policy coordination and implementation of joint initiatives.
That renewed engagement has coincided with a rise in bilateral trade, although volumes remain modest. According to data from the International Trade Center, trade between the two countries increased to $1.4 million in 2024, up from US$256,000 in 2023.
Officials from both sides have said the newly signed agreements are expected to help expand trade flows, particularly in manufactured goods, agro-processing, services and investment-linked sectors, while addressing logistical and regulatory constraints.
Analysts say the visa waiver and air services agreement could be particularly significant in encouraging business travel and private sector partnerships, which have historically been limited by distance and connectivity challenges.
Zambia and Ghana are both seeking to diversify their economies, reduce reliance on commodity exports and strengthen regional value chains. Cooperation on standards, product regulation and trade promotion is seen as critical to achieving those goals, especially as African countries look to increase intra-continental trade.
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The visit also underscores a broader trend of African governments seeking closer bilateral ties to complement multilateral initiatives, amid global economic uncertainty and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Ghanaian officials said follow-up mechanisms would be established through the joint commission to ensure the agreements are implemented and translated into tangible outcomes.
