Zimbabwe introduces automated e-Gates at Beitbridge Border Post

The Department of Immigration has launched automated gate systems, commonly known as eGates, to facilitate faster and more secure travel for individuals using new biometric passports. This innovation aligns with the Government's efforts to modernize service delivery and enhance efficiency at border posts, including the recently upgraded Beitbridge Border Post.

The eGates allow travelers to scan their biometric passports and undergo automated identity verification, eliminating the need for manual checks by immigration officers. This move is expected to significantly reduce waiting times while enhancing security at Zimbabwe's ports of entry.

Regional Immigration Officer for the Southern Region, Mr. Joshua Chibundu, highlighted the progress made in the modernization initiative.

"We have started with a test run effective 14 January, and we are impressed so far with the effectiveness of these eGates," said Mr. Chibundu. "This is part of the ease of doing business initiative, and we have also upgraded the Online Border Management System (OBMS) to complement the eGates."

The OBMS is designed to capture travelers' biometric data, identify flagged individuals, and automatically allocate stay durations—such as 30 days for holidaymakers, seven days for business visitors, and three days for transit travelers.

The introduction of the eGates and the upgraded immigration system marks a major step in digitizing border services. Mr. Chibundu noted that the new systems reduce the inefficiencies associated with manual processes, streamlining the movement of people and goods through Zimbabwe's busiest ports of entry.

This modernization comes as part of a 17-and-a-half-year public-private partnership between the Government and the Zimborders Consortium, which has upgraded and automated the Beitbridge Border Post. The facility can now process 60% of commercial cargo within three hours and drastically reduce wait times for ordinary travelers to less than 30 minutes, provided they have the necessary documents.

The automated systems at Beitbridge also separate traffic into commercial, bus, light vehicle, and pedestrian lanes, further boosting efficiency. With approximately seven million travelers and over 3,500 vehicles passing through the border daily, the new infrastructure is poised to handle a projected fivefold increase in traffic volumes in the coming years.

Authorities are also exploring the integration of artificial intelligence technologies to further enhance border management and security.

Zimbabwe's efforts to modernize border services align with global trends and solidify its role as a critical hub for regional and international trade. The upgrades are expected to support economic growth by easing the movement of goods and people across the country's borders.