Zambia and Botswana have tentatively agreed to allow citizens of both countries to use Smart National Identity Cards as travel documents when crossing the Kazungula Bridge Border.
The development emerged during a bilateral meeting co-chaired by Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu and his Botswana counterpart Phenyo Butale at Mowana Safari Resort and Spa in Kasane, Botswana.
The meeting, which preceded the official launch of the Kazungula Bridge Authority, was attended by Zambia’s Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Peter Kapala, alongside their Botswana counterparts.
Presidents Hakainde Hichilema and Advocate Duma Boko are expected to officially launch the Kazungula Bridge Authority.
During the talks, both countries agreed on the future issuance and use of digital identity cards as travel documents to facilitate cross-border movement.
Mr. Mwiimbu said Zambia is scheduled to begin using digital national identity cards in 2027. Botswana, which already uses national digital IDs, indicated its readiness to share expertise with Zambia on implementation.
Once operational, the system is expected to enable integration of the two countries’ national registration digital databases.
This is contained in a statement issued to ZNBC News by Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Principal Public Relations Officer Mwala Kalaluka.
