By Wendy Mkandawire
Government says it will consider digitalizing Malawi’s passport application process to ease access for citizens and reduce long-distance travel to immigration offices.
The Minister of Homeland Security, Peter Mukhito, made the commitment in Parliament on Monday while responding to concerns raised by Mwanza Central MP Felix Njawala regarding challenges Malawians face in accessing passport services.
Njawala asked government to introduce an online passport application system, arguing it would save applicants time and transport costs.
He also proposed that applicants be issued tracking numbers after submitting applications to enable them to monitor progress without making repeated trips to immigration offices.
“Citizens from districts far from immigration offices spend resources and waste time just to apply for and follow up on passports. Digitalizing the process will bring services closer to the people,” Njawala said.
In response, Mukhito acknowledged the concerns and said government will engage the Department of Immigration to examine ways of digitalizing the process and improving service delivery.
According to Mukhito the government is willing to move to digital and modernize public services and his ministry will work with the relevant department to assess the proposals raised.
However, the Ministry has not provided a timeline for when the digital system could be rolled out.
Officials say implementing a digital passport application and tracking system would improve efficiency, reduce congestion at immigration offices, and make services more accessible, particularly for people living in districts without passport centres.
