Zimbabwe has launched electronic gates (e-gates) at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to improve the travel experience.
Fourteen new e-gates have been installed as part of the country’s Online Border Management System (OBMS). These e-gates help speed up immigration by automating entry and exit processes, making it faster and easier for travelers. This initiative also aims to boost border security and reduce the need for staff involvement.
The e-gate system is based on Dubai’s Smart Gates and allows travelers with e-passports to scan their documents and use facial or fingerprint recognition. This contactless approach helps cut down waiting times and eases congestion at the airport.
Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, stated, “We have set up 14 lanes at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.”
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The OBMS will improve efficiency at busy entry points, including airports and border posts, and is expected to help fight illegal activities like human trafficking and drug smuggling. Plans are also underway to expand the system to other important locations, including Victoria Falls International Airport, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, and the Beitbridge Border Post.
Advantages of the New System
The e-gates remove the need for manual passport stamping and physical checks, which speeds up the border clearance process, especially during peak travel times. Faranisi noted that the system is designed for Zimbabwean passport holders and uses biometric technology to confirm travelers’ identities.
“E-gates are automated barriers that verify a passport holder’s identity using data from a chip in biometric passports, along with a photo or fingerprint taken at the gate,” he explained.
Overall, the OBMS aims to improve border security and convenience. Officials believe this system will modernize Zimbabwe’s border infrastructure and allow for future expansions to other key entry points. Electronic Gates
