Government is preparing to introduce the e-passport system at the country’s Embassy in Botswana during the first quarter of next year, a landmark development expected to greatly improve service delivery for thousands of Zimbabweans living in the neighbouring nation. The initiative is part of wider reforms under the Second Republic aimed at strengthening consular efficiency, enhancing diaspora engagement, and easing regional mobility.
Announcing the new measures during a high-level interaction with Zimbabwean business leaders based in Gaborone, Vice President General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga said the deployment of the e-passport system will significantly reduce passport processing times. He noted that the reforms reflect government’s broader commitment to improving public services both at home and abroad.
“I am glad to inform you that the government will install the e-Passport System here at the Embassy in the first quarter of next year. This will mean that, as long as your documents are in order, you will now be able to apply for and collect your passports within seven working days. We are also collaborating with the Botswana government to transform the Plumtree Border Post into a one-stop post. In the interim, efforts are being made to extend the operating hours of the border post,” he said.
The Plumtree Border Post upgrade forms part of the government’s ongoing strategy to facilitate smoother travel for the diaspora community. Extending operating hours is expected to ease congestion, reduce waiting times, and ensure more efficient movement of travellers during peak periods.
Diaspora engagement remains central to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery and growth efforts. Zimbabweans living abroad continue to play a pivotal role in sustaining the national economy, with remittances reaching US$1.9 billion between January and September 2024, a 16.5 percent increase from the same period last year. The Botswana-based diaspora forms a significant share of this contribution.
Vice President Chiwenga urged Zimbabweans in Botswana to channel their skills, capital, and networks toward investment opportunities back home.
“We encourage you to form consortia aimed at investing in agriculture, mining, infrastructure, tourism, and real estate in line with your skill set and in recognition of the enabling environment the government has created in those sectors. The valuable skills you have acquired in your sojourns here in Botswana should be harnessed for the promotion of business enterprises in your homeland, particularly in the domain of value addition and beneficiation,” he said.
He also outlined several measures the government has introduced to improve the business environment, including reducing company registration fees, cutting government expenditure, reviewing investment laws, and strengthening regulatory efficiency across sectors.
Business executives who attended the meeting praised the dialogue as constructive and forward-looking.
“It was highly engaging and very promising. From here on, it is about action,” said Botswana Tourism and Hospitality Executive Ms Sihle Thabani Mpofu.
A civil engineering consultant, Engineer Ignatius Gangaidzo added that restoring confidence remains key as Zimbabwe continues to open its doors to both domestic and foreign investors.
Through these reforms, the government is reinforcing its “open for business” mantra and positioning the diaspora as central partners in national development.
