Zambia to Allow Citizens, Including Diaspora, to Apply for IDs and Passports Online
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security has embarked on the digitalisation of national registration, passport and citizenship services as part of efforts to modernise public service delivery and strengthen data security.
Permanent Secretary Mr Dickson Matembo announced the development, explaining that the initiative, undertaken in collaboration with Smart Zambia, has begun with the computerisation of systems for issuing national registration cards, passports, and citizenship documents.
He noted that once fully rolled out, the digitalisation programme would allow Zambians at home and abroad to apply for identity documents online, thereby enhancing efficiency, accessibility and security.
Mr Matembo also addressed concerns raised by some Zambians in the diaspora, expressing disappointment at what he described as unfounded claims that officials at foreign missions fail to provide assistance.
He clarified that many of these complaints often come from individuals without valid legal documents in their host countries, who are unable to produce the required paperwork for the issuance of Zambian identity documents.
The Permanent Secretary made these remarks during a courtesy call on the Zambian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he is leading Zambia’s delegation to the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) 50th Task Force of Senior Officials and 25th Council of Ministers Meetings, as well as the 8th Public-Private Sector Dialogue Forum.
Meanwhile, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy, His Excellency Tom Michelo, urged the Ministry to engage the Ethiopian Government to operationalise the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) signed in 2017.
He said activating the JPCC would speed up the implementation of bilateral agreements, particularly in immigration, where Zambia continues to grapple with challenges posed by rising numbers of Ethiopian illegal immigrants.
In response, Mr Matembo reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to work with the Ethiopian authorities and directed the Zambian Mission in Addis Ababa to follow up on the matter, stressing that concerns around illegal immigration and related security issues must be addressed through mutual cooperation.
