Stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (Midas) project which targets streamlining data collection in border areas to enhance trade facilitation and national security.
Developed by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) under the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project (Satcp), the World Bank-funded Midas was to be deployed in the 16 border posts and immigration offices and be integrated with international databases, including Interpol, for trade and security purposes.
In an interview two years after the three-year project was launched, Department of Immigration and Citizenship commissioner responsible for operations Fletcher Taonga Nyirenda said so far the Midas system is operational in at least 10 borders with plan to integrate it to platforms like Interpol.
Nyirenda said: “We have been able to modernise our border control systems from manual to automated systems.
“So far, we deployed this system to 10 sites including Kamuzu International Airport, Bakili Muluzi International Airport, Mwanza, Songwe, Bilima, Chiponde, Mloza and Dedza apart from three regional offices and the Immigration headquarters.”
Nyirenda said the system is live and working very well, such that they are now at a stage to deploy it fully by integrating it with passport system and other watch lists including Interpol (International Police) so that people that are on wanted list could be tracked.
Meanwhile, according to Nyirenda, through the same arrangement, immigration department is also implementing a border pass system project targeting an upgrade from manual issuance (of border pass) to electronic meant to enhance cross-border trade.
“To facilitate movement we were issuing border pass using manual but with this one we are extending to also cover the issue of cross-border trade that is why it was felt important that we should modernise,” he added.
In an interview, IOM chief of mission in Malawi Nomagugu Ncube said the project which seeks to promote safe, orderly and regular migration as a driver of security and trade, said although reviews to assess progress, challenges and possible solutions are ongoing, a lot have been achieved so far.
“We are currently reviewing the progress that is being made and taking stock of where we have challenges in implementation and agreeing on solutions to address those challenges so that the project will be able to meet its expected results at the end of the third year in October 2026.
“The projects will help to take stock of who is coming into the country, who is leaving the country, but also it will enhance their capacity to provide immigration services in a more efficient way and enhance the movement of people for business and trade and facilitate regional and economic integration,” Ncube said.
Meanwhile, Satcp project manager Hastings Ngoma had expressed optimistic that all activities of the project will be completed by the end of its three year period as implementation rate is currently at 80 percent.
“It’s main objective was to reduce transport costs, increase regional coordination, to increase value chain and infrastructure. We have implemented 80 percent of all activities and we are sure that by closing period all activities will be implemented,” Ngoma said.
Apart from Midas projects, Satcp is also implementing regional integration oriented projects like export value chains and connectivity oriented projects like roads network infrastructure, among others.
The Midas project is funded by the World Bank under the Southern Africa Trade Connectivity Project at the tune of $4.7 million (K8.2 billion).
