The use of passports for citizens between Namibia and Botswana will soon be something of the past.

On Friday, the two countries will sign a Memorandum of Agreement to permit the use of national identity cards from each country as travel documents to cross their borders.

The Botswana Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs has confirmed.

The signing of the agreement will take place at the Mamuno/Trans-Kalahari border post this Friday.

This development is the culmination of an initiative taken by the two Heads of State, President Hage Geingob and Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of Botswana, dating back to 2019, says the Botswana government.

The agreement is a clear demonstration of their unwavering commitment to implementing a uniquely progressive aspect of the strategy of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement will thus serve to eliminate barriers to the free movement of people, goods, and services, thereby strengthening trade between the two countries.

The spokesperson at Namibia's Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Margreth Kalo, stated that her ministry will soon release a statement, while the communications directorate at the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed the Friday launch.