In a major step toward regional integration, Namibia and Zambia are set to scrap passport requirements for cross-border travel, paving the way for citizens to move freely between the two countries using only their national ID cards.Namibia’s Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Dr. Albert Kawana, made the announcement during Zambia’s 59th Independence Day celebrations held in Windhoek. He confirmed that both governments are actively working on the logistics of the new travel agreement.
“Very soon, Zambian citizens will be able to enter Namibia using only their ID cards. We are working to abolish the use of passports between our countries,” said Dr. Kawana, adding that the move aligns with regional efforts to simplify mobility and enhance socio-economic cooperation. This development echoes a similar agreement signed earlier this year between Namibia and Botswana, making them the first countries in Southern Africa to initiate ID-only cross-border travel. Zambia is now poised to join this progressive model of intra-African collaboration.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Stephen Katuka, echoed Dr. Kawana’s sentiments and emphasized the longstanding bond between the two countries. “Our shared history goes beyond diplomacy. Zambia stood with Namibia during its liberation struggle, and we continue to stand together today,” he said. The agreement also extends to the justice sector, with both countries signing off on a bilateral arrangement that allows convicted nationals to serve the remainder of their prison sentences in their home countries.
This reflects a shared commitment to human rights and reintegration of offenders into their respective societies. If implemented, the ID-only travel framework will mark a shift in how African nations approach mobility within the continent. It’s a practical, cost-effective measure that could ease travel for citizens, boost tourism, strengthen business ties, and enhance people-to-people connections. The move has been widely praised by Pan-African networks, such as the African Diaspora International (ADI), who continue to advocate for unity among African nations, both on the continent and across the globe.
As these agreements unfold, many are hoping that this signals the beginning of a broader African trend, one where colonial-era travel barriers are dismantled and replaced with policies that reflect the continent’s growing interconnectedness. In the meantime, citizens of both Zambia and Namibia await the official rollout of this new arrangement, which could significantly reshape the region’s travel landscape and bring Southern Africa one step closer to seamless regional integration.
