The African Union (AU) is prepared to launch the electronic passport (e-Passport) at the next AU Summit tabled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, in July 2016.
First agreed on in 2014, AU sees this move will facilitate free movement of persons, goods and services around the continent – in order to foster intra-Africa trade, integration and socio-economic development.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, “steady step toward the objective of creating a strong, prosperous and integrated Africa, driven by its own citizens and capable of taking its rightful place on the world stage.”
The first group of beneficiaries will include: AU Heads of State and Government; Ministers of Foreign Affairs; and the Permanent Representatives of AU Member States based at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The AU e-Passports will be issued to them in July 2016, at the 27th AU Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.
Issuance of the AU e-Passport, is expected to pave the way for the Member States to adopt and ratify the necessary Protocols and Legislation with the view to begin issuing the much expected African passport.
