Govt issues 1,8m e‑passports

Remember Deketeke-Herald Correspondent

GOVERNMENT has issued nearly 1,8 million electronic passports since the programme’s launch in January 2022, clearing the chronic backlog that once plagued the system and underscoring its commitment to digitalising passport services.

Speaking during a tour of the e-passport centre by Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes and Projects Dr Joram Gumbo on Wednesday, Civil Registry Department Registrar General Mr Henry Machiri said the Harare Passport Centre alone has issued 897 042 e-passports since January 2022.

Overall, the country has issued 1 797 760 e-passports, reflecting an upward trend in processed applications and growing public trust in the new system.

The e-passport programme was launched by President Mnangagwa on December 14, 2021, with roll-out starting on January 18, 2022, making Harare the first city to issue the new document.

“To date, 1 797 760 e-passports have been issued countrywide. Harare Passport centre alone has so far issued a total of 897 042 since the commencement of the programme,” said Mr Machiri.

“The steady increase in processed applications demonstrates improved production capacity and growing public confidence in the new system.”

This initiative is part of a broader reform agenda aimed at enhancing service delivery through technology.

The new passports feature advanced security measures that comply with international standards, improving document integrity and reducing fraud. The processing time for passport applications has been reduced from six months to just seven working days, thanks to a digital queuing and data capture system that has improved efficiency.

Dr Gumbo said transitioning from machine-readable passports to e-passports marks a crucial step in protecting citizens from fraud and identity theft.

“It goes without mentioning that this programme is a fortress for our national integrity. The old machine-readable passport was vulnerable. The new e-passport is embedded with advanced security features that meet the highest international standards,” said Dr Gumbo.

The new passports incorporate biometric data and enhanced encryption features, making tampering or duplication extremely difficult.