By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — Somalia has officially joined the regional passport system of the East African Community (EAC), becoming the member state to adopt the bloc’s standardized travel document in a move expected to enhance mobility, trade and economic integration across East Africa.
Officials and regional media reported that Somalia will now begin issuing the EAC e-passport, a biometric travel document designed to facilitate easier movement of citizens within the regional bloc and strengthen cooperation among member states.
The adoption places Somalia alongside Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, which already use the regional passport system. The initiative is part of the EAC’s long-term goal of creating a more integrated region where people, goods and services can move more freely across borders.
Somalia joined the East African Community in 2024 after years of negotiations and reforms aimed at aligning its institutions with regional standards. Analysts say adopting the EAC passport marks another milestone in the country’s efforts to deepen political and economic ties with its neighbors.
Regional officials say the EAC e-passport, first introduced in 2016, contains an electronic chip storing biometric data such as fingerprints and facial information. The technology is intended to enhance border security, reduce document fraud and streamline immigration procedures at entry points across the region.
Somali authorities say the new passport system is expected to benefit citizens who travel frequently within East Africa for business, education and family connections. It could also support increased trade and investment by making cross-border movement faster and more predictable.
Economists note that Somalia’s participation in the regional travel framework may encourage stronger commercial links with neighboring countries and expand opportunities for Somali entrepreneurs and traders operating in the East African market.
The move comes as Somalia continues reforms in immigration, identity management and border control systems as part of broader efforts to modernize state institutions and strengthen regional cooperation.
If fully implemented across member states, the EAC passport system could further reduce travel barriers and reinforce the bloc’s ambition to build one of Africa’s most integrated regional economic communities.
