Tourism surge expected as Southern African nations expand special visa coverage

Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have joined forces to create a seamless travel experience that attracts more visitors and enhances the region’s appeal as a top travel destination.

These countries, all Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area members, will now participate in the expanded "univisa." According to Reuters, the univisa currently covers Zambia and Zimbabwe, allowing short visits to Botswana via Kazungula, a small border town in Zambia.

During a recent summit in Livingstone, Zambia, KAZA leaders agreed to extend the univisa’s coverage to additional countries within both the conservation area and the larger Southern African economic community.

"We must simply say that this will happen," Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema declared in his address. "I am grateful that my colleagues have reached a consensus on the univisa," he added.

Botswana’s Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane, confirmed his country’s commitment to fully adopt the univisa, enhancing its role by mirroring the European Union's Schengen Visa for Southern Africa.

Currently, only five African nations; Seychelles, The Gambia, Benin, Kenya, and Rwanda allow visa-free travel for African citizens. Kenya's President William Ruto emphasised the importance of easing visa restrictions within Africa at a summit in Congo Brazzaville in 2023.

“Visa restrictions amongst ourselves are working against us. When people cannot travel, business people cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all become net losers,” he stated.