Enhancing Africa’s Borders: Making a case for API-PNR on the Continent

By Renaud Irminger, CEO & co-founder, Travizory developers of the Travizory API-PNR Targeting System™

International travel inevitably opens countries to risks and threats, regardless of their geographic location, the number of visitors, or the level of national development. While terrorism and drug trafficking may present quasi-universal challenges, every region also faces a set of unique threats to contend with. The African continent, which faces many challenges including displacement of people, extensive land borders, and health crises, is no exception.

Despite these challenges, most African countries continue to under-utilize technology to secure the border and enhance national security. Both Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems have been mandatory since February 2021, following recent amendments to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Annex 9, which sets international standards for border control and passenger data.

Yet, according to data from the ICAO and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Africa lags behind other regions in adopting these mandatory systems.

At the end of 2023, just eleven out of 54 (20.3%) African countries had implemented API, and a mere eight (14.8%) had adopted PNR. This sits in stark comparison to Europe, for example, where 29 (69.0%) European countries have adopted both API and PNR while another 2 (4.76%) are expected to implement them imminently.

While not a silver bullet, API-PNR systems are a key part of an integrated border security system. Expert analysis shows that when combined with other elements, such as an eVisa or electronic Travel Authorization, API-PNR can enhance security at the border 20-fold. Importantly, these systems also offer significant economic benefits – by streamlining border processes and improving security, countries can attract more tourists and business travelers.

Africa’s delay in adopting digital border technologies since the pandemic in 2020 has hindered its ability to capitalize on the global trend toward simplified and secure travel. While much of the world has embraced digital solutions, many African nations remain tied to outdated manual systems. Introducing API-PNR systems can modernize border management, making travel to and within Africa more appealing and boosting economic activities tied to tourism and trade.

Tackling Africa’s unique challenges

A shared area of concern on the continent, poorly managed borders have contributed to the rise of transnational crime and terrorism across Africa. “Borderlands in Africa are typically characterized by low state presence, mistrust between local communities and the state, and high levels of crime, insecurity and poverty,” states the African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD)”

According to the UN, the Sahel region now accounts for almost half of all deaths from terrorism globally. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the trafficking of 12% of the world’s enslaved population, while drug trafficking by land, air and sea is also on the rise. In addition, research has found that 43% of people in Africa rely on “informal cross-border trade” for income or goods. At a time when African nations need to increase revenue, customs authorities lack tools to fight illicit movements of goods across borders.

These figures paint a worrying picture and highlight the urgency for African governments to implement measures to tighten control and increase oversight at the borders. Without strong border control, national security remains at risk as countries are vulnerable to outside threats.

Examining current approaches

In past years, strict visa regimes have been relied upon to improve security and support pre-travel screening. Traditional at-embassy visas and visa-on-arrival have been deployed across Africa, but instead of opening up borders, they have acted as a significant barrier to freedom of movement.

Research has shown that 57% of travelers select their travel destination based on whether they expect border processes to be simple and quick. Successes from around the world demonstrate this, China recorded a 152% increase in tourism numbers after simplifying visa procedures, while Seychelles – a visa-free African nation – recorded the fastest post-COVID recovery in the region through digitalization of its borders.

Despite these examples, just 24 African countries have implemented eVisa systems, many of which face serious issues. For instance, in 2023, the South African Department of Home Affairs reported that 58% of eVisa applications were rejected due to the travel dates having already passed. Barriers to intra-African travel are no different, the African Development Bank found that in 46% of country-to-country travel scenarios, Africans are still required to obtain visas at departure to travel to other African countries. These barriers have contributed to Africa being one of the slowest regions to recover from the impact of COVID-19 on inbound arrivals achieving just 80% recovery by the end of 2023.

While traditional visa regimes made sense previously, these policies have proven ineffective in combatting the rising rates of transnational crime. The growing urgency at the border reinforces the shortcomings and inefficiencies of traditional visa systems for combatting criminal activities. In today’s competitive tourism landscape, API-PNR systems offer an attractive middle ground, offering both open borders and robust security.

Lessons from early adopters in the region

Seychelles, Rwanda and South Africa stand out as pioneers on the continent. These nations have recognized the importance of technology when navigating a modern threat environment, and deployed sophisticated solutions, including API and/or PNR, to do so.

South Africa introduced iAPI in 2009 ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The sheer scale and visibility of the event triggered an upgrade of border systems, as South African Authorities had to think out of the box and move towards a more effective system for managing high-risk travelers.

Small island state Seychelles has surpassed South Africa by successfully implementing both API and PNR, maintaining visa-free regimes, and boosting tourism numbers. A key pillar of Seychelles’ Electronic Border System, the API-PNR module enables robust risk assessment and flagging of high-risk individuals before they arrive at the border. Since introducing the system, approximately 80% of the successful interventions by Customs at Seychelles International Airport against drug trafficking have been informed by the pre-travel data.

Both countries combine the API-PNR data from airlines with data collected from travelers via electronic Travel Authorization systems – a strategic move to increase security at the border while maintaining seamless transit and arrival processes. Circumventing the cumbersome visa process, both countries’ next-generation electronic Travel Authorizations offer travelers a simplified and expedited experience while collecting much more information for risk assessment.

What is clear in all of these cases is that technological innovation can deliver far-reaching, tangible benefits for nations. By adopting a solution designed specifically for African countries, governments stand to make significant advancements toward the ambition of a more secure, and inter-connected, continent.

Adopting state-of-the-art technology

API-PNR systems offer an effective means of managing borders and preventing threats from entering the country. At their most basic, API-PNR systems improve the upstream visibility of travelers and enable more effective planning and intervention at the border. At their most advanced, API-PNR systems offer a sophisticated toolkit for border officials including risk-assessment, watchlist matching, and profiling to prevent threats from ever reaching the border. When integrated with biometric eVisa or eTA regimes they open up new capabilities for border security agencies, going far beyond the capabilities of stand-alone systems.

A new generation of border security companies, provide innovative, flexible solutions for implementing API-PNR at land, sea, and air border crossings. Unlike public sector solutions, private companies can rapidly deploy advanced technologies, ensuring timely and effective integration with existing systems. By collaborating with transport operators, these companies enable authorities to identify high-risk travelers before they arrive, and access to this data upstream transforms the border management experience.

Accessing the data from carriers is just one part of the puzzle. API-PNR data is only effective when presented as actionable intelligence, empowering border officials to make real-time interventions. Governments must consider how the data is accessed, viewed, and shared between agencies, the quality of automated analysis, and the accuracy of the risk engine.

Selecting the right partner

While many institutional suppliers promise to support implementation, anecdotal evidence shows that more often than not these projects suffer from lengthy delays, siloed technology, and lack of innovation.

Homegrown solutions usually fall into the same traps, despite being developed by the government itself or donated. Often lacking advanced knowledge or experience, in-house teams are notorious for developing systems that are difficult to maintain or cumbersome to manage. In addition, already stretched teams must ensure adequate data center capacity, offer ongoing technical training, and maintain security standards. By comparison, the Seychelles API-PNR system was operational just 4 weeks after the go-ahead from the government.

Another vital consideration is the extent to which the system can be customized to country-specific needs or ways of working. Countries that have relied on “free” solutions provided by the public sector often find themselves “locked in” to outdated legacy technologies and having to pay for change requests that are delivered months later. This reliance hinders innovation and leaves these countries unable to leverage the latest technology.

In Zambia, for example, updating the list of visa-waiver countries within its eVisa system took several months to implement. Maldives has reported issues integrating new eVisa systems with existing border tools, including the Border Management System. This incompatibility creates blind spots and further entrenches a siloed way of working.

Private sector solutions offer several advantages over public sector alternatives. An agile way of working enables faster deployment times, cutting-edge technologies like cloud computing provide scalability and resilience, while a modular approach seamlessly integrates with existing systems. Additionally, a network effect ensures that enhancements are immediately available to all users, driving a collective improvement in security and efficiency.

The agility, scalability, and cutting-edge capabilities of private companies can significantly enhance border security and operational efficiency compared to traditional public sector approaches. This ensures governments can better protect their citizens, and foster economic growth through increased security and more efficient border management.

The case for adopting advanced API-PNR systems in Africa is compelling. While the challenges are significant, the benefits of these systems are clear. Countries that embrace innovative, private-sector solutions can achieve greater security, efficiency, and integration in their border management processes. The success of nations like Seychelles illustrates the potential for transformative change.

As Africa continues to develop and modernize, the adoption of state-of-the-art API-PNR systems will be crucial. By leveraging the latest technologies and fostering continuous improvement through network effects, African nations can enhance their border security and move closer to the vision of open borders and a visa-free continent.