Five Southern African countries on Friday committed to expanding the use of a special common visa to allow easier movement of tourists as the region seeks to boost arrivals.
Officials from Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, countries that make up the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area, pledged in principle to broaden use of the special visa, called a univisa, which allows entry into multiple countries.
The univisa is currently used in Zambia and Zimbabwe and covers day trips to Botswana through Kazungula.
Regional leaders attending a KAZA heads of state summit in Livingstone, Zambia, said they want the special visa extended to other states in the conservation area as well as the southern African economic bloc.
"We must simply say that this will happen," Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said in his address. "I am grateful that my colleagues have reached consensus on the univisa."
Botswana Vice President Slumber Tsogwane said his country would fully adopt the univisa.
KAZA member states also resolved to urge the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to lift a ban on the trade of elephants and ivory.
The 184-member inter-governmental CITES regulates wildlife trade to protect certain species from over-exploitation. It banned trade in African elephant ivory in 1989 after the animal's population had declined sharply in the previous decade.
KAZA states say they hold $1 billion worth of ivory stockpiles, which they want to trade to fund conservation programmes.
Latest Stories
-
We may all resort to vote buying if electorates prioritise such over development – Asiedu Nketiah
25 mins -
NDF engages mineral extraction communities in advocacy and litigation resolution
30 mins -
Adabraka in community A/R unites to combat electoral violence
37 mins -
Forestry Commission cracks down on endangered bush meat trade
38 mins -
Global GDP could plunge by 24% by 2,100 without urgent climate action
39 mins -
High Court dismisses lecturer’s bid to block Deputy IGP’s appointment
47 mins -
MTN records 35.5% growth in profit to GH¢3.76bn in quarter 3, 2024
1 hour -
Deloitte to hold training on navigating customs and excise duty Obligations
1 hour -
Akufo-Addo, Bawumia should have prioritised National Peace Campaign launch – Mahama
1 hour -
AGI works to clamp down on substandard foreign mattresses penetrating Ghanaian markets
1 hour -
Immigration Service intercepts 54 gallons of fuel
1 hour -
Ace Medical Insurance makes its mark at Ghana Club 100 Awards
1 hour -
Dafeamekpor takes Speaker to High Court to affirm vacant seats ruling
1 hour -
Government is not funding GMX music streaming platform – Director of Marketing
2 hours -
Energy sector not advancing enough – ACEP
2 hours