Digital Solutions Hold the Key to Solving Border Challenges -SITA | By Sally Akua Eku Attitsogbe
Aviation experts say digital solutions are the key to addressing the five biggest challenges confronting border management in Ghana and other African countries today.
As global travel rebounds, border agencies worldwide are under pressure to balance national security with smooth passenger processing. Budget constraints and rising passenger volumes mean border officers are stretched thin.
The introduction of electronic travel authorisations (eVisas), Advance Passenger Processing (APP), and biometric eGates can cut costs and speed up passenger flows. These tools allow travellers to apply online and pass through border control faster, while officers focus on high-risk individuals.
Border policies can shift rapidly due to political or global events. Flexible digital systems like Dynamic APP allow governments to instantly update entry rules and share information with airlines, ensuring compliance with international standards such as ICAO and IATA’s One ID initiative.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities in manual checks. New digital platforms now allow passengers to upload health documents before travel, enabling contactless verification through eGates and kiosks. This reduces queues, minimises health risks, and reassures passengers.
Conflicts, disasters and economic crises often cause sudden surges in border traffic. Digital processes including Electronic Travel Authorisations, APP, and biometric checks ensure continuous risk-based control, allowing governments to stay in control while treating displaced people with dignity.
Transnational crime networks also exploit weak borders. Real-time risk profiling using Passenger Name Records (PNR), integrated with biometric checks and watchlists, enables authorities to flag suspicious travellers and intercept threats before they arrive.
According to Andy Smith, Director of Industry and Innovation at SITA, the future of border control is “smart, safe, and seamless,” with technology ensuring both stronger security and better passenger experiences.
For Ghana and other African countries, adopting such solutions could strengthen border resilience while boosting tourism and trade competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected world.
Digital Solutions Hold the Key to Solving Border Challenges -SITA | By Sally Akua Eku Attitsogbe |
