Zambia Launches Digital Passport System to End Long Queues

Zambia has successfully digitised its passport issuance process, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu announced to Parliament. Within weeks, citizens will be able to apply for passports online from home, eliminating the need to queue at passport offices.

The new system will enable applicants to track their applications in real-time and receive completed passports through courier delivery directly to their residences. Minister Mwiimbu's announcement comes after social media criticism about long queues at passport centres, with some calling the situation embarrassing for the government.

"The UPND government is methodical," Mwiimbu stated, explaining that authorities worked carefully with Smart Zambia, ZICTA, and other agencies to develop a secure system resistant to abuse. He emphasised that the government prioritised creating a reliable platform over rushing implementation.

The minister defended the measured approach, stating the government needed confidence in the system's integrity before launching. "We could not be reckless just to introduce a system that can be abused by individuals," he explained.

This digital transformation represents a significant modernisation of Zambia's passport services, promising greater convenience for citizens while maintaining security standards. The online platform marks a departure from traditional in-person applications that often resulted in crowded facilities and extended waiting times.