Staff Reporter

The country has installed 14 electronic gates (e-gates) at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, to enhance travel efficiency for Zimbabwean passport holders.

This new system is part of the Government's broader efforts to streamline border processes and reduce congestion at the country’s key entry/exit points.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, recently announced the successful deployment of the e-gates and revealed that plans are underway to expand the system to other major airports and border posts across the country.

"We have set up 14 lanes so far at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, and we are also planning to install the system at Victoria Falls International Airport, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, and the Beitbridge Border Post," Ambassador Faranisi said.

The newly installed e-gates are designed to simplify the immigration process for travellers.

Zimbabwean e-passport holders will be able to scan their passports, fingerprints, and facial features at the e-gates, which will then be verified by the Online Border Management System (OBMS).

This eliminates the need for face-to-face interactions with immigration officers, significantly speeding up the entry and exit process.

This system is expected to be particularly beneficial in managing high volumes of travellers at Zimbabwe's busiest borders, such as the Beitbridge Border Post, which processes over 10,000 people daily.

An official from the Immigration Department who preferred anonymity explained, "The new system will greatly reduce congestion at our borders, providing travellers with a faster and more efficient experience."

Meanwhile, the e-gates initiative is the result of a partnership between Zimbabwe’s Immigration Department and a Lithuanian technology firm, Garsu Pasaulis.