The Zambian Government has issued a circular waiving visa requirement for all Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) nationals on official business.
“The Government of the Republic of Zambia has sent an official letter which stated that the Protocol will soon be signed” indicated Immigration Officer at COMESA Secretariat Mr Houssein Guedi Absieh in an interview.
The initiative is part of the implementation of the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Services, Labour and Rights of Establishment and Residence in the COMESA region.
The protocol was adopted in 2001 but signed only by Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Zimbabwe out of nineteen participating to COMESA. Only Burundi has fully ratified it.
The same move for visa waiving for COMESA citizens for has been introduced by Mauritius, Rwanda and Seychelles.
According to the Chairman of the Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) Mark O’Donnell the removal of the visa requirements presents an opportunity for further investment in the tourism sector of Zambia and in the country’s economy.
