Presidents Mnangagwa and Boko have renewed calls for Zimbabwe and Botswana citizens to travel using ID cards instead of passports.
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Botswana President Duma Boko have renewed calls for passport-free travel between their countries, reviving a proposal that faced strong resistance in Botswana in 2023. The two leaders raised the issue during Boko’s state visit to Harare, where both governments signed 11 memoranda of understanding, including one on immigration cooperation.
The renewed push signals continued interest in easing movement of people, goods and services between the neighbouring countries. Officials say the discussions form part of wider efforts to strengthen trade, regional integration and cross-border development.
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Speaking during the visit, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe and Botswana share deep historical, cultural and economic ties. He proposed a phased system that would allow citizens to travel using national identity cards instead of passports.
“The people of Zimbabwe and Botswana are one family,” Mnangagwa said. “Bonds between Zimbabwe and Botswana are not merely diplomatic; they are historical, cultural and deeply rooted in our shared heritage, solidarity, as well as common aspirations for peace, development and prosperity.”
He said implementation could begin with border communities and short-term travel before wider expansion. Mnangagwa added that harmonised immigration systems, one-stop border posts and digital clearance platforms remain important priorities.
President Boko also supported easier travel arrangements and said Botswana is developing advanced cryptographic national identity cards. He said the system could allow travellers to store credentials on smartphones rather than carrying physical identity documents.
“Wherever you go, you can just tap on the go,” Boko said. He added that the technology would need to be compatible in both countries for it to function effectively at border posts.
Boko said migration between Zimbabwe and Botswana should be viewed as normal regional movement rather than a problem. He said citizens from both countries move in search of economic opportunities and shared prosperity.
“Many Zimbabweans go to Botswana and request to settle there. They will emigrate from Zimbabwe to Botswana and others emigrating from Botswana to Zimbabwe because they see opportunities and at any rate we are the same people,” he said.
The latest proposal echoes a similar announcement made in late 2023, when Mnangagwa and former Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi said they had agreed to abolish passport requirements at entry points.
That earlier proposal faced immediate criticism in Botswana’s National Assembly. Then Labour and Home Affairs Minister Annah Mokgethi later clarified to parliament that no final agreement had been signed and that normal legal and administrative procedures still had to be followed.
Several Members of Parliament raised concerns at the time over migration pressure, public services and employment competition. Francistown MP Wynter Mmolotsi said border towns were already facing pressure from migration flows.
Opposition leader Dithapelo Keorapetse also questioned whether the earlier proposal had been properly consulted before being announced. The criticism eventually slowed progress on the initiative.
Botswana already has a passport-free travel arrangement with Namibia that began in February 2023 without major controversy. Some lawmakers argued Zimbabwe presented a different situation because of its larger migrant population and economic conditions.
The new memorandum of understanding on immigration cooperation suggests both governments want to keep discussions active. However, no final agreement has yet been signed allowing travel through national identity cards.
If implemented, the arrangement could reduce travel costs, support tourism, increase trade and improve convenience for citizens who frequently move across the border for work, family or business.
Analysts say success will depend on political support, public confidence, modern border systems and strong immigration controls. For now, the proposal remains under discussion as Zimbabwe and Botswana explore deeper regional cooperation.
