The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has introduced an electronic border pass (e-border pass) system at all the country’s border points with Mozambique.
Previously, border passes were issued using a manual paper-based system and holders were only allowed to travel within a radius of seven kilometres (km).
Immigration spokesperson Pasqually Zulu, speaking during sensitisation campaign on Saturday at Dedza Border Post, said the initiative will help to enhance trade facilitation, among others.
business. | Brian Chigumula
He said: “This card will allow Malawians to go into Mozambique up to a distance of 50km. Previously, we used to have paper-based border pass where people were only allowed to travel within a radius of seven kilometres.
“We understand that in the past, people could stay for quiet a long time at the border waiting to be cleared.”
Zulu further stated that the card will be valid for three years and that each entry will allow a maximum stay of seven days in Mozambique.
Group village head Kapalamula expressed gratitude with the new border pass system, saying it was previously challenging for Malawians to get a paper-based border pass to conduct business in markets such as Madeya in Mozambique.
In a separate interview, businessperson Rita Hussein, who runs a restaurant near Dedza Roadblock, said the new system will strengthen business relations between Malawi and Mozambique.
The initiative is being jointly implemented by Malawi and Mozambique, targeting the Nacala and Beira corridors with funding from the World Bank.
