South Africa to Launch Electronic Travel Authorisation System Next Week
President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially launch South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at OR Tambo International Airport on 12 August 2026, marking a significant step in the country's digital immigration reform programme. The system, piloted during South Africa's G20 Presidency, combines biometric verification, machine learning and the upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (eMCS 2.0) to streamline border processing while strengthening security.
The ETA is positioned as the flagship reform of the Department of Home Affairs' digital transformation programme and is expected to improve South Africa's competitiveness as a destination for tourism, business and investment. President Ramaphosa will unveil the system alongside Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber, with the programme including a live demonstration and a guided tour led by Border Management Authority Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato. The launch also signals a broader government commitment to leveraging technology for more efficient and secure border management.
