South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially launch South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. This will follow the successful pilot implementation of the system during South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially unveil the Electronic Travel Authorisation alongside Minister of Home Affairs – Dr. Leon Schreiber. The programme will also include a live demonstration of the system and a guided tour led by Border Management Authority Commissioner – Dr. Michael Masiapato.
The ETA marks a significant milestone in government’s efforts to modernise the country’s immigration system through digital technology.
According to the Presidency, the ETA will serve as the cornerstone of South Africa’s modern digital immigration system and the flagship reform of the department’s digital transformation programme.
The Presidency released an official statement regarding the new ETA system, in which they clearly stated that the ETA combines advanced biometric verification, machine learning and the upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (eMCS 2.0) as part of a modern digital immigration ecosystem that strengthens border security while making travel to South Africa faster, simpler and more secure for legitimate travellers.
President @CyrilRamaphosa will today officially launch South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at OR Tambo International Airport.
The ETA marks a significant milestone in the digital transformation of South Africa’s immigration system, leveraging technology to… pic.twitter.com/8xIW61ewS2
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 12, 2026
As per the sources, this digital platform is expected to enhance South Africa’s competitiveness as a destination for tourism, business and investment, while also improving the efficiency and security of border management.
The official statement reads, “This reform will enhance South Africa’s competitiveness as a destination for tourism, business and investment, while supporting more efficient and secure border management.”
South African Government said that the launch represents a significant milestone in the digital transformation of the Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority (BMA).
The Presidency said that the launch marks a significant milestone in the digital transformation of the Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority (BMA), demonstrating government’s commitment to harnessing technology to improve service delivery, safeguard national security and facilitate economic growth.