Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
THE digitalisation of border management systems, spearheaded by President Mnangagwa, has positioned Zimbabwe as a continental leader, with a high-level Rwandan delegation commending the modern systems as a model for promoting the seamless movement of people and goods across Africa.
The Rwandan delegation, led by Director General of Immigration and Emigration Mrs Lynder Nkuranga, is in the country on a benchmarking visit.
The tour aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Zimbabwe and Rwanda in immigration management, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Immigration Co-operation in 2024.
The delegation has toured the Kazungula Border Post, Victoria Falls Border Post, Victoria Falls International Airport, and the Zimbabwe Immigration Headquarters in Harare to gain first-hand appreciation of the systems now in place.
Mrs Nkuranga expressed her admiration for the technology and efficiency observed during the visit.
“One of the things we have been able to appreciate is how seamless the traffic is being cleared at Kazungula and the other border posts that we visited,” she said.
“We have also visited the headquarters to see the border management system that Zimbabwe Immigration is using.
The technology being used is quite impressive. “There are quite a number of things that we have seen and observed, which we think are very important for us.”
She further highlighted the commendable cohesion among various stakeholders.
“The cohesion among customs, police, immigration and the other stakeholders is quite commendable. The way traffic is being managed is really seamless and it promotes the movement of goods in the fastest way,” she said.
Central to this transformation is the Online Border Management System (OBMS), which Zimbabwe launched in phases from January 2025 after preparatory work and pilot deployments at major ports of entry in 2024.
The digital platform incorporates electronic gates (e-gates), online visa processing, e-permits, and automated immigration clearance. This has transformed border operations by significantly reducing waiting times, easing congestion, and enhancing security through real-time verification of travellers.
The e-gates, a key component of the OBMS, allow Zimbabwean e-passport holders to clear immigration in under a minute using biometric verification.
The e-passports provide a secure, machine-readable credential that is crucial for the functionality of the system.
Department of Immigration chief director Ms Respect Gono said the exchange visit demonstrates the two countries’ commitment to implementing the cooperation agreement and strengthening partnerships.
“We are now implementing what our principals directed us to do,” she said.
“The memorandum includes training and experience sharing because Rwanda may be stronger in one area while Zimbabwe is stronger in another. This visit allows us to see how we can cooperate more and broaden our relations.”
