The High Commissioner of Zambia to Ghana, Daniel Mahongo, has revealed that establishing a direct air link between Accra and Lusaka remains one of the most pressing bilateral priorities to unlock increased trade volumes and deepen economic cooperation between the two countries.
He made this known during a courtesy call by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Malungo Attractor Chisangano, at the Zambian High Commission in Accra.
“The only remaining item on the table which is currently being worked on is the establishment of a direct airline between Ghana and Zambia to ease the transportation of goods between the two countries.” he stated
During the visit, Chisangano commended the diplomatic mission for its warm reception and professionalism, noting that the hospitality extended to her delegation reflected Zambia’s diplomatic values and strengthened her experience since arriving in Accra.
A direct air link between Accra and Lusaka moved closer to reality following the signing of a bilateral Air Services Agreement between Ghana and Zambia during President John Dramani Mahama’s state visit to Zambia in February 2026.
The agreement is expected to propel direct flights between the two countries, significantly reducing travel time, lowering transport costs, and facilitating the movement of goods, capital, and people.
Currently, there are no direct flights between Ghana and Zambia, with travellers often relying on connecting routes, commonly via Addis Ababa or other hubs, resulting in an average travel time of about 9 to 10 hours. The proposed direct route is therefore being positioned as a strategic enabler for trade, tourism, and investment, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework, which prioritises improved air connectivity to boost intra-African commerce.
The Deputy Speaker is in Ghana on a benchmarking tour aimed at strengthening parliamentary cooperation between Ghana and Zambia, while also exchanging best practices in legislative oversight, governance, and institutional development. The visit forms part of growing parliamentary diplomacy between the two countries, which has gained momentum in recent months.
Her visit follows the address delivered by John Dramani Mahama at the Zambian National Assembly earlier this year, where he called on African countries to redefine their development pathways within the evolving global order and strengthen intra-African cooperation as a strategy for economic resilience.
During her engagement, Chisangano urged the Zambian diplomatic mission in Accra to intensify efforts to attract Ghanaian investors into Zambia’s key sectors, including agriculture, energy, mining, and manufacturing. She noted that these sectors remain central to Zambia’s economic recovery and present viable opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Zambia’s agriculture and mining sectors are projected to play a critical role in driving the country’s economic growth between 2026 and 2027, with forecasts indicating expansion between 5.8% and 6.4%. The mining sector is increasingly focusing on energy transition minerals, while agriculture is diversifying toward exports and commercial production, supported by debt restructuring and an International Monetary Fund-backed reform programme.
President Mahama’s official visit to Lusaka in February further strengthened bilateral ties, with the visit widely described as a significant milestone in intra-African diplomacy. The visit emphasized cultural connections, economic cooperation, and the shared heritage between Ghana and Zambia, reinforcing the growing diplomatic alignment between the two countries.
During the visit, President Mahama commended Zambia’s efforts to stabilise its macroeconomic environment, noting improvements in the performance of the Zambian Kwacha and the ongoing reform agenda. He highlighted that these developments send positive signals to investors and regional partners, while reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to deepening trade, investment, and financial cooperation with Zambia.
The two countries also signed ten Memorandums of Understanding aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, with one of the most significant agreements allowing visa-free travel for all categories of passport holders between Ghana and Zambia. The agreement is expected to enhance the free movement of people, boost tourism, facilitate trade, and strengthen people-to-people ties, while contributing to broader African integration efforts.
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