VP Chiwenga Promises Fast-Track Passports in Botswana

VP Constantino Chiwenga has announced that Zimbabwe will introduce e-passport services at its Embassy in Botswana by early 2026 (image source)

Zimbabweans living in Botswana are set for a major convenience boost, with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga announcing that the government will roll out the e-passport system at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Gaborone in the first quarter of 2026. Addressing Zimbabwean business leaders in Botswana, Chiwenga said the embassy will soon be equipped to process passports digitally, dramatically cutting waiting times. “As long as your documents are in order, you will now be able to apply for and collect your passports within seven working days,” he declared, drawing applause from members of the diaspora.

The announcement is part of a wider government push to modernise Zimbabwe’s travel and business infrastructure. Chiwenga also revealed plans to extend operating hours at the Plumtree Border Post, one of the busiest gateways linking Zimbabwe and Botswana. The long-term ambition is to transform the crossing into a fully-fledged one-stop border post, streamlining traffic flow and reducing delays for travellers and commercial operators. “In the interim, efforts are being made to extend the operating hours,” he said, promising smoother movement for cross-border communities.

Beyond the administrative upgrades, Chiwenga used his engagement with the diaspora to urge Zimbabweans in Botswana to invest back home. He encouraged the formation of consortia targeting key economic sectors such as agriculture, mining, real estate, tourism, and infrastructure development. “Your country needs you,” he told attendees, framing diaspora participation as both a patriotic responsibility and a smart business opportunity. He outlined reforms the government has implemented to attract investors including relaxed investment laws, reduced government spending, and lower company registration fees. His message was clear: Zimbabwe is open for business, and the diaspora should take advantage of its evolving economic landscape.

For many Zimbabweans in Botswana, the e-passport rollout marks a long-awaited relief. At present, applying for a passport often requires travelling back to Zimbabwe, enduring lengthy queues, and waiting weeks or even months for processing and collection. The shift to digital processing in Gaborone promises to slash bureaucracy, cut costs, and bring essential services closer to the people. Similarly, the Plumtree Border Post upgrades signal a renewed commitment to regional integration. By coordinating reforms with the Botswana government, Zimbabwe hopes to create a seamless border experience that strengthens trade, tourism, and family connections.

As one diaspora attendee remarked after the meeting: “Finally, we won’t have to beg for passports or sleep at the border. This is the kind of change we’ve been waiting for.” With e-passports on the way, extended border hours in progress, and renewed calls for diaspora investment, Chiwenga’s Gaborone engagement was more than a policy briefing — it was a promise of speed, convenience, and opportunity for Zimbabweans abroad.