AGP Executive Report

Zambia–Malawi Tourism Push: Zambia and Malawi have signed off minutes after their first Joint Tourism Technical Committee meeting in Lilongwe, agreeing on joint destination marketing, shared tourism products, cultural heritage promotion and stronger wildlife conservation—aimed at boosting cross-border arrivals and investment. Cross-Border Travel Rules: Trinidad and Tobago has granted visa-free access to Sierra Leoneans, listing Zambia among other African countries benefiting, a move expected to open new tourism and business links. Roads & Travel Safety Watch: Zimbabwe’s Vic Falls–Bulawayo highway is reported to be in a serious state after works lagged, with travellers facing long delays and hazardous conditions—an issue that directly affects regional tourism routes. Air Connectivity Boost: Emirates and South African Airways expanded their codeshare, adding nine routes including Lusaka and Victoria Falls, making it easier for travellers to connect through South Africa and Dubai. Sports With a Tourism Angle: Zambia’s Copper Queens are out of WAFCON after a group-stage tie-break, while the tournament’s growing visibility is drawing more attention to women’s football across the region. Refugee Culture Returns: Burundian drummers in Zambia’s Meheba camp have resumed performances after nearly four years, winning recognition during a Kaonde cultural ceremony.

Zambia–Malawi Tourism Push: Malawi and Zambia have signed off on a tourism roadmap after their first Joint Tourism Technical Committee meeting in Lilongwe, agreeing to jointly market each other, develop shared products, and step up wildlife conservation. Cross-Border Cooperation: The talks operationalise the 2018 tourism MoU and focus on destination marketing, cultural heritage promotion, sustainable tourism, capacity building, and closer wildlife collaboration. Aviation Connectivity Boost: Emirates and South African Airways expanded their codeshare with reciprocal access, adding nine routes that include Lusaka and Victoria Falls—making it easier to connect through Johannesburg and Dubai. Transport Cost Control: Zambia’s NTSA backed a proposed law to regulate public service vehicle fares to curb peak-season price hikes, while noting fuel and operating costs must be considered. Tourism Business Signal: Safari Duty Free won the exclusive Kenya Airways inflight duty-free contract, with end-to-end management starting 1 November—an East and Southern Africa retail win that includes Zambia operations. Justice & Access: Zambia Supreme Court judge Abha Nayar Patel warned that courtroom tech must improve fairness and access, or it shouldn’t be used.

Zambia–Malawi Tourism Push: Zambia and Malawi have signed off on minutes from their first Joint Tourism Technical Committee meeting in Lilongwe, agreeing on joint destination marketing, shared tourism products, cultural heritage promotion and stronger wildlife conservation. Cross-Border Travel Ease: Emirates and South African Airways expanded their codeshare, adding access to nine more cities including Lusaka and Victoria Falls, making it easier to book single-ticket trips across southern and central Africa. Transport Cost Control: Zambia’s NTSA backed a proposed law to regulate public service vehicle fares to curb peak-season fare hikes, while noting fuel and operating costs must also be considered. Tourism Business Moves: Safari Duty Free won an exclusive five-year contract to run Kenya Airways’ inflight duty-free programme, covering everything from product curation to digital retail. Aviation Update: Coastal Aviation in Tanzania inducted its first Dash 8-100 on domestic tourism routes, including services that connect to Lusaka. Travel Safety Note: An American pilot was fined 3 million Malawian kwacha for an unauthorized landing at Malawi’s Bakili Muluzi International Airport.

Aviation Connectivity: Emirates and South African Airways have expanded their reciprocal codeshare, adding nine new destinations and placing Emirates codes on SAA-operated flights—now including Lusaka and Victoria Falls among the regional links, making it easier for travellers to book one seamless itinerary across southern and central Africa. Justice & Tech in Courts: Zambia’s Supreme Court judge Abha Nayar Patel says digital tools must only be used if they improve fairness and access to justice, warning that “innovation” can otherwise just digitize inequality. Tourism & Hospitality Watch: Questions are swirling after Meikles exited the Victoria Falls Hotel partnership, with investors asking what it means for luxury hospitality in one of Africa’s top tourism hubs. Travel Safety/Legal: A Lusaka man was sentenced to five years for illegal possession of leopard skin, a reminder that wildlife crime directly threatens biodiversity and tourism. Regional Mobility: SADC’s 2026 summit in Durban is being urged to tackle migration and xenophobia head-on as tensions in the region continue to affect travellers and communities. US Visa Costs for Africans: The US made its visa bond programme permanent, with a refundable maximum raised to $20,000 for certain African travellers—likely impacting tourism and business travel planning.

US Visa Rules for Travellers: The U.S. has made its visa bond programme permanent, raising the refundable maximum to $20,000 for citizens of 30 African countries (with 24 exempt), effective 3 August 2026—meaning some business and tourist applicants may need to post a bond before getting a B-1/B-2 visa. Air Connectivity Boost: Emirates and South African Airways have expanded their codeshare into a fully reciprocal deal, adding access to nine more destinations—Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, plus regional links including Lusaka and Victoria Falls—offering single-ticket travel and through-checked baggage. Zambia Wildlife Enforcement: A Lusaka man, Raphael Simwale, was sentenced to five years with hard labour for illegal possession of a leopard skin, underscoring tougher action against wildlife trafficking that threatens biodiversity and tourism. Regional Tourism & Transport: Tanzania has started construction on the sixth phase of its Standard Gauge Railway (Tabora–Uvinza–Kigoma), aiming to cut travel times and strengthen tourism and trade links. Sports With Travel Pull: Kaizer Chiefs received a bye into the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary stage, where they could face Zambia’s Power Dynamos—another reminder that continental fixtures drive cross-border movement.

Air Travel & Connectivity: Emirates and South African Airways have expanded their codeshare into a fully reciprocal deal, letting Emirates place its code on SAA flights and giving travellers single-ticket, through-checked baggage access to nine new destinations. The added routes include three South African links from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, plus six regional services from Johannesburg to Kinshasa, Gaborone, Windhoek, Lusaka, Harare and Victoria Falls. Tourism & Hospitality: Meikles’ exit from Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls Hotel is raising fresh questions for investors about strategy and the future of luxury hospitality in the fast-growing destination. Safaris & Travel Costs: New Squaremouth data puts safaris among the priciest trips in 2026, with average safari costs around $25,000, and lists Zambia among the safer options for travellers. Wildlife Protection: Zambia’s courts handed five-year sentences to people caught with a live ground pangolin in Lusaka, underscoring tougher action against wildlife trafficking. Regional Migration Watch: A SADC summit in Durban is urged to tackle xenophobia directly, after South Africa’s anti-migrant protests and repatriations strained ties across the region.

Air Connectivity: Emirates and South African Airways have upgraded their long-running codeshare into a fully reciprocal deal, adding nine new destinations—three domestic South Africa routes (Johannesburg–Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth) and six regional links including Lusaka and Victoria Falls—so travellers can book on one ticket with through-checked baggage. Wildlife Crime: A Lusaka man, Raphael Simwale, was sentenced to five years with hard labour for illegal possession of a leopard skin, while five others received five-year terms for illegal possession of a live ground pangolin. Tourism & Travel Costs: New Squaremouth data flags safaris as among the priciest trips in 2026, with Zambia listed among destinations where travellers should expect higher costs. Student Support: HELSB has started processing the K1,950 accommodation top-up for eligible off-campus UNZA students after the allowance increase. Sports: ZESCO Ndola Girls were drawn against Gaborone United, Herentals Queens and Lesotho Defence Force in the CAF Women’s Champions League/COSAFA qualifiers in Botswana. Health & Migration: Nurses in Maine, USA, are protesting the detention of Zambian nurse Debora Kapisha by ICE, calling for her release.

Road & Tourism Corridor: Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road works are set to restart after government secured funding, with 73.4km already surfaced and contractors expected back on site for faster rehabilitation into August. Wildlife & Conservation: Five Lusaka residents were jailed for five years each with hard labour for illegal possession of a live ground pangolin, disrupting a trafficking route from Kalabo to Lusaka. Student Travel & Living Costs: HELSB has started paying UNZA off-campus accommodation top-ups, adding K1,950 to eligible students after the allowance was raised to K5,850. Safari Costs & Planning: New travel data flags safaris as among the priciest trips in 2026, with Zambia listed at an average of about $26,967 and “exercise normal precautions” for travellers. US Visa Changes for Africans: The US made its visa bond programme permanent and expanded it, while also shifting visa processing locations—meaning some travellers may need to travel to hubs like Nairobi for applications. Sports Travel: ZESCO Ndola Girls were drawn against defending champions Gaborone United in the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers in Botswana, with matches running Aug 20–29. Tourism Business Moves: Meikles exits the Victoria Falls Hotel partnership as African Sun buys its stake, reshaping hospitality plans around one of the region’s top attractions.

Safari Costs & Risk Watch: New Squaremouth data puts Zambia among the pricier safari picks in 2026, with an average trip cost of about $26,967 and a U.S. advisory level of “exercise normal precautions,” while South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya dominate bookings and higher risk levels. Regional Migration Pressure: A SADC summit in Durban is flagged as a key moment to tackle xenophobia and anti-migrant tensions head-on, with leaders urged to move from blame to coordinated solutions. US Visa Bond Shock for Travellers: The U.S. made its refundable visa bond programme permanent, with deposits up to $20,000 for certain B1/B2 applicants from 50 countries including Zambia—meaning some travellers may need extra funds before visas are issued. Zambia Tourism & Travel Business Notes: OurAfrica.Travel announced its next virtual trade show dates (22–26 Feb 2027), and Tanzania’s tourism push got a boost with a new premium airport lounge planned for September. Sports & Travel Tie-ins: ZESCO Ndola Girls were drawn in a tough CAF Women’s Champions League/COSAFA group in Botswana, and Zambia’s Junior Sables will play in a new-format Barthés Trophy in Uganda.

US Visa Rules for Zambians: The US has made its visa bond programme permanent, with some B1/B2 business and tourist applicants from 50 countries (including Zambia) facing refundable deposits of up to US$20,000 before visas are issued. US Visa Processing Shift: From August 1, 2026, routine US visa services were discontinued in 25 African cities, including Lusaka, pushing applicants to regional hubs such as Nairobi. Election Tensions at Home: Zambia’s Electoral Commission is accused of withholding polling staff names and ballot delivery timelines, while the Tonse Alliance also alleges foreign nationals could enter border areas to vote. UNZA Student Welfare: President Hakainde Hichilema announced an increase in student accommodation allowance to K5,850 and said sanitation works at UNZA have been completed. Tourism Demand Watch: Tanzania reports rising premium travel spending, with average visitor expenditure up 19.1% in 2025, signalling stronger high-value tourism pull across the region.

US Visa Bond Shock for Travellers: The U.S. has made its refundable visa bond programme permanent, with consular officers able to require B1/B2 business and tourist applicants from 50 countries (including Zambia) to post up to $20,000 before a visa is issued—money is refunded if travellers comply and leave on time. Zambia Election Tensions: Ahead of August 13, Tonse-Pamodzi claims the Electoral Commission of Zambia is withholding polling staff names and ballot delivery timelines, while Chishimba Kambwili urges ECZ to apply the campaign timetable evenly. UNZA Student Welfare: President Hakainde Hichilema met UNZA students at State House, announcing an increase in student accommodation allowance to K5,850 and highlighting sanitation works. Tourism Neighbour Watch: Tanzania says premium tourism is lifting spending—average visitor spend rose to $289 per night in 2025. Sports & Travel: Nkwazi FC moved to a Copperbelt training camp, and ZESCO Ndola Girls are in Tanzania for CAF qualifiers preparations.

US Visa Bonds Go Permanent: From 3 August 2026, the U.S. will permanently require refundable “visa bonds” for business and tourist applicants (B1/B2) from 50 countries, with consular officers able to demand up to US$20,000—a big change for travellers from 30 African countries including Zambia’s region. The bond is returned if visitors leave on time and follow visa rules, but is forfeited for overstays. UNZA Student Welfare Push: In Lusaka, UNZA students met President Hakainde Hichilema to thank government for campus sanitation fixes and restored meal allowances, and they appealed for higher accommodation allowances to K5,850. Cancer Care Upgrade in Lusaka: Hichilema commissioned a refurbished radiotherapy and imaging unit at Cancer Diseases Hospital, a US$31 million project meant to cut the need for patients to travel abroad. Sports & Travel Angle: ZESCO Ndola Girls are in a pre-season camp in Dar es Salaam ahead of COSAFA qualifiers in Botswana, lining up friendlies against top Tanzanian clubs. Regional Politics on the Move: Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu are heading to Western Province after a North-Western tour, with campaign travel by road.

U.S. Visa Bonds Go Permanent: The U.S. State Department has made its visa bond programme permanent, meaning some B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) applicants from 50 countries—including Zambia—may be asked to post a refundable deposit of $10,000–$20,000 before a visa is issued, with the money returned if conditions are met and forfeited if rules are broken. Cancer Care Upgrade: President Hakainde Hichilema commissioned a US$31 million refurbished radiotherapy and imaging unit at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, restoring specialised treatment after a six-year suspension and aiming to cut the need for patients to travel abroad. Student Welfare at State House: UNZA students marched to State House to thank Hichilema for improvements at Great East Road campus and to push for higher accommodation allowances, as the election campaign nears its August 13 vote. Election Campaign Trail: Tonse Pamodzi Alliance candidate Brian Mundubile and running mate Makebi Zulu wrapped up a five-day tour of North-Western Province and moved to Western Province, outlining plans on mining, agriculture and infrastructure. Health Workers Told to Put Phones Away: Hichilema instructed UTH staff to stop using mobile phones during working hours, linking the message to better patient care as cancer services reopen.

US Visa Bond Shock for Zambians: The US has made its visa bond programme permanent, effective Aug 3, meaning consular officers may require refundable deposits of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 for covered business/tourist applicants from 50 countries—with Zambia listed among those affected. How it works: the bond is refunded if you leave on time and follow visa rules, but can be forfeited for overstays or violations. Zambia-US travel ripple: one report claims Zambians seeking US visa help may be directed to South Africa, while US citizens remain visa-free for Zambia. Health & tourism angle: President Hichilema commissioned a US$31m cancer treatment upgrade in Lusaka and flagged plans for more cancer hospitals and a Medical Tourism City near KKIA—aimed at keeping more patients in Zambia. Hospitality industry buzz: HCAZ streamed live from its 60th AGM, highlighting Tuleya.africa as a new travel booking and payments platform for hotels, lodges and activities.

Cancer Care Boost: President Hichilema commissioned a US$31m upgrade at Lusaka’s Cancer Diseases Hospital, unveiling refurbished radiotherapy and imaging equipment and calling it a step toward making Zambia a regional oncology hub; he also flagged plans for more cancer hospitals in Ndola and Livingstone and a Medical Tourism City near KKIA. Health Tourism & Training: An Israeli team helped train Zambia’s first generation of pediatric cardiac surgeons and supervised heart surgeries at Lusaka’s National Heart Hospital, including unveiling a new heart-lung machine. Tourism Tech for Zambia: HCAZ streamed the launch of Tuleya.africa at HCAZ’s 60th AGM, pitching a new booking and online payments platform for hotels, lodges, stays and activities. Wildlife Conservation: Luangwa’s Luambe National Park fitted critically endangered white-backed vultures with solar satellite trackers to map movements and strengthen conservation. Travel Policy Watch: The US made its visa bond programme permanent for business and tourism visas, with bonds up to $20,000 for nationals of 50 countries, affecting travel planning for visitors from the region. Regional Travel News: Eswatini will host 300+ health experts in August, a reminder of how conferences keep regional travel moving. Cross-Border Access: Zimbabwe plans a larger passenger-and-vehicle ferry for the Kasambabezi Border Post to improve trade and tourism between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Hospitality & Tourism Tech: HCAZ’s 60th AGM spotlighted Tuleya.africa, a new booking and payments platform for hotels, lodges, stays and activities, aiming to make travel trade smoother across Zambia. Safari & Accommodation: Anantara is taking the safari plunge in Zambia with Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River in Kafue National Park, bringing luxury tented stays, river-front experiences and guided activities. Wildlife Conservation: Luangwa Valley conservation got a boost as eight critically endangered white-backed vultures were fitted with solar satellite trackers to map movements and threats. Tourism Safety & Crime: Police exposed a cross-border luxury car theft ring, recovering a K175 million Toyota Fortuner in Zambia after six vehicles were smuggled using fake plates. Border & Trade: Zimbabwe plans a bigger passenger-and-vehicle ferry for Kasambabezi Border Post to improve cross-Zambezi movement and boost tourism and trade. Travel Policy Watch: South Africa’s proposed R500 Electronic Travel Authorisation fee could affect some visa-free travellers who use the ETA platform voluntarily.