South Africa is set to introduce its first AI-powered Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system on September 18, 2025, marking a significant shift in how visitors enter the country.
The system will be officially unveiled by Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, at the Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s annual conference.
The ETA is designed to digitize entry procedures and automate background checks using artificial intelligence. Initially, it will handle tourist visa applications for short stays of up to 90 days.
By the end of September, the system will become operational at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport, before gradually extending to other entry points and additional visa categories.
Minister Schreiber has described the new platform as a vital step toward improving efficiency and curbing fraud. “Over time, the ETA will be expanded to more visa categories and rolled out at more ports of entry. This scale-up will continue until no person can enter South Africa without obtaining a digital visa through the ETA,” he said.
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The system reflects commitments made earlier this year by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who pledged during his February State of the Nation Address to digitize immigration processes. Still, questions remain about how the ETA will interact with the existing e-Visa portal, which currently serves travelers from more than 30 countries.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the ETA will replace or operate alongside the e-Visa, raising concerns about possible duplication for visitors, according to Business Insider.
While the ETA is expected to streamline border management and enhance security, experts argue that the initiative also underscores a broader issue. African countries often remain less open to each other than to the rest of the world.
Visa restrictions within Africa have long been cited as barriers to trade, tourism, and deeper regional integration. Systems like the ETA could provide a pathway toward greater openness, helping countries tap into the opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Easier movement across borders would not only boost tourism but also strengthen regional logistics, support small businesses, and increase labor mobility, all crucial elements for building more competitive African economies.
Although South Africa’s ETA represents a milestone for its own tourism sector and border security, its greater importance lies in setting a precedent for the continent.
If other African nations follow suit and align their digital entry systems, the vision of free movement within Africa could finally become more than an aspiration, opening the door to stronger intra-African trade and economic cooperation.
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Image Credit: Aljazeera
