Zambia has taken a significant step in modernizing public service delivery with the official launch of an online passport application and payment system on ZamPortal. The new digital platform allows citizens to apply for passports and other travel documents remotely, reducing long-standing inefficiencies associated with the manual application process.
The initiative was announced through a Ministerial Statement by the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jack Mwiimbu, who said the rollout aligns with the government’s broader digital transformation agenda. The project is being implemented through the Smart Zambia Institute in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, reinforcing the government’s commitment to e-government reforms.
For years, passport applicants in Zambia have faced challenges such as long queues, repeated visits to offices, high transportation costs, and productivity losses—particularly for citizens living outside major urban centres. The new online system is designed to address these bottlenecks by enabling applications to be completed anytime and from anywhere, using a secure digital process.
Commissioned in 2022, the digital passport system is intended to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery across the country. Applicants can now submit their details online, upload required documents, and make payments electronically through ZamPortal, significantly streamlining the overall process.
At launch, the platform supports a wide range of travel documents, including ordinary Zambian passports, diplomatic passports, refugee travel documents, COMESA Laisser Passer, and other official documents of identity. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, clearly defined processing timelines have also been introduced to improve predictability and accountability. Applications submitted in Lusaka, Ndola, and Livingstone are expected to be processed within 14 days, while those from other provincial capitals will take up to 21 days.
To ensure a smooth transition, the government has confirmed that manual passport applications will continue to operate alongside the digital system for now. This dual-track approach is aimed at accommodating citizens who may face challenges accessing digital services, while gradually encouraging broader adoption of the online platform.
Beyond improving passport services, the ZamPortal rollout reflects Zambia’s broader ambition to digitise public services and improve citizen experience. By reducing physical interactions and paperwork, the system is expected to cut administrative costs, minimise errors, and enhance service transparency.
The launch also comes at a time when African governments are increasingly investing in digital infrastructure to modernise service delivery and promote inclusion. Zambia’s move positions the country among a growing list of African nations leveraging digital platforms to improve access to essential government services.
As adoption grows, the online passport system is expected to play a critical role in supporting mobility, regional integration, and ease of travel for Zambian citizens, while reinforcing the country’s ongoing digital transformation efforts.
