Zimbabwe has installed 14 electronic gates (e-gates) at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, marking the first phase of the country's new Online Border Management System (OBMS).

Bulaway24 reports that these e-gates automate immigration operations, eliminating the need for actual human intervention, and aim to make the process easier for travellers while also improving security at entry and exit points.

According to the publication, the OBMS platform, which uses ‘advanced technology’ to automate border control, is anticipated to drastically shorten processing times, relieve congestion at crowded border stations, and combat criminal operations including human trafficking, drug smuggling, and money laundering.

Raphael Faranisi, ministry of home affairs and cultural heritage permanent secretary ambassador, said: “The e-gates will allow a traveller to enter the country after scanning their passport and capturing biometric data, including taking a picture of the traveller, if the traveller has no outstanding offences or crimes, the e-gate allow the traveller to pass.

“E-gates, as a component of the online border management system, will reduce cross-border crimes, especially human and drug trafficking, as well as money laundering.”

The government plans to install in the system at the Victoria Falls International Airport, the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport and the Beitbridge Border Post.