Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube in Livingstone, Zambia
COUNTRIES that make up the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (Kaza TFCA) have urged for the prompt implementation of the Kaza Uni-visa system to enhance seamless travel and integration between member states.
The Kaza TFCA is a conservation area spanning the borders of five southern African countries; Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and it is centred around the Caprivi-Chobe-Victoria Falls corridor.
The TFCA covers 36 formally declared protected areas, covering game reserves, forest reserves, game and wildlife management areas and communal lands. Some of these areas have concessions for non-consumptive tourism development.
To achieve regional economic development through tourism, Zambia and Zimbabwe partnered with the World Bank to develop the Kaza Uni-Visa pilot project, which facilitates the movement of tourists between the two countries.
The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2016 symbolising the commencement of the permanent issuance of the visa regime.
The programme enables tourists to visit both Zambia and Zimbabwe multiple times for 30 days on a single visa. The visa system also permits visitors to undertake day trips to Botswana through the Kazungula border post.
Although some challenges led to the suspension of the system previously, Zimbabwe and Zambia have been looking at ways to integrate the Uni-Visa into their internal systems to expand the system to other countries outside the member states, exempting visitors from different parts of the world from visa requirements.
Directors of wildlife from partner countries called for the prompt implementation of the Uni-visa to promote regional integration at the ongoing Kaza Heads of State Summit in Livingstone, Zambia.
They expressed concerns that the absence of a Uni-Visa had impeded tourism.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, said clear direction on the matter was needed to ensure accessibility of the visa, stating that “this visa regime is very important to the five countries”.
“We need a very clear roadmap for accessibility because that is a major handicap when you go out promoting tourism,” said Dr Munyanyiwa.
Zambian Wildlife director, Mr Dominc Chiinda, confirmed that the issue would likely be resolved through bilateral discussions between the two countries.
“I am glad to report that on the 28th on the sidelines of this summit, as two countries, we have scheduled a bilateral where this matter will be resolved,” he said.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority director general, Dr Fulton Mangwanya, stated that the country was working on other measures to open up park borders to visitors.
“Zimbabwe and Zambia piloted the Uni-Visa to expand to other countries and that is work in progress. In Zimbabwe, we are working on crossing points for tourists from Kruger National Park into Gonarezhou,” he said.
Dr Miguel Xavier from Angola noted that the country was also implementing the Uni-Visa regime, which waived visa requirements for 94 countries last year.
She further stated that “the Uni-Visa for Kaza allows free movement of tourists. We are aware that it is not yet finalised, but we are trying to facilitate the entry of tourists.” —@ncubeleon
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