Zimbabwe Launches E-Gates at RGM International Airport: What You Should Know

Zimbabwe has launched electronic gates (e-gates) at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe (RGM) International Airport to enhance convenience.

Zimbabwe Launches E-Gates at RGM International Airport

Fourteen new e-gates were installed at Zimbabwe’s biggest airport as part of the country’s initial rollout of its online border management system (OBMS).

The e-gates aim to streamline immigration processes by automating entry and exit procedures, offering faster and more efficient services to travellers. This move is set to bolster border security while reducing the need for human intervention.

Sunday Mail reported that the system, modelled after Dubai’s Smart Gates platform, allows travellers using e-passports to scan their documents and provide facial or fingerprint data. This contactless process reduces waiting times and helps authorities manage congestion at border points.

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Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Permanent Secretary Ambassador Raphael Faranisi confirmed:

“We have set up 14 lanes so far at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.”

The OBMS is designed to improve efficiency at Zimbabwe’s busiest entry points, including airports and border posts. It is expected to curb illegal activities like human trafficking, drug smuggling, and money laundering.

Plans are underway to expand the system to other key locations, including Victoria Falls International Airport, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, and the Beitbridge Border Post.

The Benefits Of The New System

By eliminating the need for manual passport stamping and other physical checks, the e-gates aim to speed up border clearance times, especially during peak travel periods. Faranisi explained that the system is specifically for Zimbabwean passport holders and relies on biometric technology to authenticate travellers.

“E-gates are automated self-service barriers that authenticate the passport holder’s identity by using data contained in a chip in biometric passports and a photo or fingerprint obtained upon entering the e-gate,” he said.

The OBMS platform integrates various aspects of border control, enhancing both security and convenience. Officials hope the system will contribute to the modernization of Zimbabwe’s border infrastructure while setting the stage for future expansions to other key entry points.

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