Ghana to introduce visa-free travel for all Africans from May 25, 2026

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana will implement a visa-free travel policy for all African nationals from May 25, 2026, in a move aimed at deepening continental integration and boosting intra-African mobility.

The announcement was made on Thursday, April 2, during bilateral talks with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the Peduase Presidential Lodge as part of his ongoing state visit to Ghana.

“I am also pleased to announce that effective 25th May 2026, when we commemorate Africa Day, Ghana will commence a free visa regime for all Africans. Africans travelling to Ghana will receive their e-visas online free of charge,” President Mahama stated.

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He explained that the policy is designed to remove long-standing travel barriers across the continent and strengthen economic and cultural ties among African nations.

“But between Ghana and Zimbabwe, we have a visa-free environment already. You can travel to each other’s countries without needing a visa. You just hop onto the plane and arrive in each other’s country,” he added.

The visa-free policy forms part of Ghana’s broader push to position itself as a hub for Pan-African collaboration, tourism, and trade. Authorities say the initiative will be integrated into an expanded e-visa system to simplify travel processes for African citizens.

President Mahama also urged both countries to explore deeper cooperation in tourism, highlighting opportunities to connect iconic destinations such as Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Cape Coast Castle in Ghana.

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The high-level engagement between the two countries resulted in the signing of 10 cooperation agreements covering various sectors, including trade, investment, and development.

President Mnangagwa expressed appreciation for Ghana’s longstanding support, particularly its stance on international issues affecting Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabwe deeply appreciates Ghana's consistent solidarity, including its principled support for the removal of the illegal and unjustified economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by some Western countries,” he said.

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He also commended Ghana’s leadership in advancing global recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as a grave historical injustice and called for swift implementation of the newly signed agreements.

“While we have witnessed the signing of several instruments of cooperation, the true value of these agreements lies in their swift and effective implementation,” he added.

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President Mahama emphasised the need for both countries to collaborate in areas such as responsible mining and value addition, while also announcing the establishment of a permanent joint cooperation framework expected to meet every two years.

Zimbabwe is also seeking Ghana’s backing for its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, further signalling closer diplomatic alignment between the two nations.

President Mnangagwa’s visit included stops at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and the Swedish Medical Centre, underscoring the symbolic and developmental dimensions of the trip.

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The introduction of visa-free travel for Africans marks a significant policy shift and aligns with broader continental efforts to enhance free movement under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.