Zimbabwe, Botswana forge ahead with eliminating passport requirement

Zimbabwe and Botswana have recently announced plans to eliminate the requirement for passports for their citizens traveling between the two countries. This move is aimed at promoting regional integration and facilitating cross-border trade and investment.

According to a statement issued by the governments of Zimbabwe and Botswana, the decision was made following a meeting between the two heads of state, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and Gaborone Seretse Khama III of Botswana, in October 2019. During the meeting, the leaders agreed to work together to streamline border procedures and eliminate unnecessary barriers to trade and investment.

The governments have already begun working on fine-tuning the modalities for implementing this decision. This includes developing new protocols for identifying and verifying citizens, as well as updating customs and immigration procedures. The aim is to make it easier and faster for citizens to travel between the two countries, while still maintaining security measures to protect against illegal activities such as smuggling and human trafficking.

The elimination of passport requirements for citizens traveling between Zimbabwe and Botswana is expected to have a positive impact on both countries' economies. By removing barriers to trade and investment, businesses will be able to operate more freely across borders, leading to increased economic growth and job creation. Additionally, the move is likely to boost tourism, as travelers will no longer need to obtain a passport to visit either country.

Overall, the decision by Zimbabwe and Botswana to eliminate passport requirements for citizens traveling between the two countries represents an important step towards regional integration and economic cooperation in Southern Africa.