Zimbabweans living in Botswana will, beginning next year, be able to apply for and collect new passports directly from the Zimbabwean Embassy in Gaborone within seven working days—eliminating the long-standing requirement to travel back home for documentation. The announcement was made by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga during an engagement meeting with Zimbabwean business leaders in Gaborone, where he outlined a range of government initiatives aimed at improving service delivery, easing cross-border movement and strengthening economic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
The forthcoming e-passport facility in Botswana builds on the successful rollout of Zimbabwe’s digital passport system in Johannesburg. There, thousands of Zimbabweans living in South Africa now access passport services without the logistical burdens of travelling home. VP Chiwenga said the Gaborone system would be operational in the first quarter of 2026, bringing a long-awaited service closer to the diaspora community.
“In the first quarter of 2026, the Government will install the e-passport system here at the Embassy in Gaborone,” he said. “As long as your documents are in order, you will now be able to apply for and collect your passports at the embassy within seven working days.”
The Vice President also highlighted the economic significance of Zimbabweans in Botswana, describing them as one of the most consistent and valuable sources of remittances. In 2024, Zimbabweans living in Botswana remitted US$54 million back home—making them the fifth-largest contributor after compatriots based in the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United States and Australia. Diaspora remittances now form a critical pillar of Zimbabwe’s foreign currency inflows, contributing US$2.54 billion last year.
Addressing the business community, VP Chiwenga urged Zimbabweans in Botswana to channel more of their skills and capital back into their home country. He emphasised that economic development and industrial growth required the active participation of citizens at home and abroad.
Zimbabweans in Botswana to Access New Passports in One Week as Government Moves to Strengthen Diaspora Services
“Zimbabwe remains open for business for its nationals based abroad,” he said. “Our mantra is ‘Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo / Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo’. We encourage you to form consortiums aimed at investing in agriculture, mining, infrastructure, tourism and real estate in line with your skill set.”
In line with efforts to boost the ease of doing business, the Vice President said Harare was working to streamline investment regulations, reduce company registration timeframes, cut prohibitive fees and improve fiscal discipline through reduced government expenditure. Zimbabwe, he added, is continuing to mend relations with Western nations and international financial institutions while tightening measures to curb corruption in both the public and private sectors.
A significant portion of VP Chiwenga’s address focused on border efficiency. He announced that government is working with Botswana to transform the Plumtree/Ramokgwebana Border Post into a One-Stop Border Post (OSBP). This would allow travellers and goods to be cleared by both countries’ authorities at a single point, drastically cutting delays. In the meantime, authorities are exploring the introduction of 24-hour operations to smoothen trade and travel between the two nations.
“Delays at the Plumtree/Ramokgwebana Border are a concern,” he said. “We are collaborating with the Government of Botswana to transform the current border into a One-Stop Border Post. In the interim, efforts are being made to improve efficiency and extend the operating hours.”
VP Chiwenga reassured the diaspora that the Government is seized with addressing long-standing concerns, including challenges related to permits, investment repatriation and bureaucratic bottlenecks that complicate doing business in Zimbabwe. These issues, he said, are regularly addressed through the Bi-National Commission platform between Zimbabwe and Botswana.
“I would like to assure you that the Government is ready to continue improving the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe and protecting the interests and welfare of the Zimbabwean business community in Botswana,” he said. “Take time to reflect and consider investing in your motherland.”
Zimbabweans who attended the engagement said the meeting exceeded their expectations, offering concrete commitments from the government regarding service delivery and economic reforms.
“It was highly engaging and very promising. We really look forward to the follow-through,” said Patience Mpofu, one of the attendees. “I didn’t think the session would last this long, but it shows that there was a lot to be discussed and a lot of questions that needed answers. From here, it’s about action.”
Engineer Owen Gangaidzo echoed similar sentiments, saying the government’s commitments—if fully implemented—would rebuild trust with the diaspora. “Surely there are challenges, like in any other country; that’s understandable. What’s important is to ensure that confidence is established.”
The announcements mark a significant step toward transforming Zimbabwe’s relationship with its diaspora in Botswana, long regarded as a vital economic and social contributor. As 2026 approaches, many Zimbabweans living in Gaborone will be watching closely to see whether the promised reforms and passport services materialise as pledged.
Source- Herald
