Concerns and Confusion in Biometric Passports Bidding Processes

Some Zimbabweans, including political party officials, are raising concerns following the award of a contract for the production of the country’s biometric passports to Belgian firm Semlex.

In an article published in ZimLive ¹ it is reported that in May, Zimbabwe’s cabinet approved the ‘engagement of a private partner in the implementation of a national biometric database for the production of e-passports, national identity cards and birth certificates.’ (see IDN June 2021).

Instead of advertising the tender, officials in the ministry of home affairs and treasury handpicked Belgian company, Semlex, for the contract. Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe confirmed the awarding of the contract but declined to reveal the total cost of the project.

Kazembe told ZimLive: ‘the agreement with Semlex is a BOOT (Build Own Operate Transfer). They offered to do it for the government at no cost to the government.