{ "name": "Border Contracts register", "updated": "2026-10-19", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "entries": [ { "slug": "australia-global-digital-platform-visa-tender", "country": "Australia", "title": "Global Digital Platform visa processing tender", "systems": [ "e-visa" ], "buyer": "Department of Home Affairs", "vendor": "No contract awarded. Bidders: Australian Visa Processing (a consortium including PwC, Ellerston Capital, Qantas Ventures, NAB and Pacific Blue Capital) and Australia Post with Accenture", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published (tender opened 2018, terminated March 2020)", "duration": "Not published", "status": "terminated", "value": "Not published. Reported costs: over AUD 70 million for going to market (Information Age, 26 March 2020) and nearly AUD 100 million before the plan was dropped (Canberra Times, 11 August 2021)", "funding": "concession/PPP", "feeModel": "Companies would have received a cut of the visa fee for each application processed, as reported by the Canberra Times", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "March 2020: Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge announced the end of the tender process [1]", "May 2021: Department Secretary Mike Pezzullo told Senate estimates the contracting process for the replacement permissions capability project would cost AUD 74.9 million, as reported by the Canberra Times [2]" ], "summary": "Home Affairs went to market in 2018 for a platform under which private firms would process visas, detect fraud and recommend decisions, taking a share of each visa fee [1] [2]. Two groups bid: Australian Visa Processing, whose members included PwC and Qantas Ventures, and Australia Post with Accenture [1]. Acting Minister Alan Tudge ended the tender in March 2020 [1]. The Canberra Times reported in August 2021 that the plan cost nearly AUD 100 million before it was dropped, and that the replacement permissions capability contracting process would cost AUD 74.9 million, according to Senate estimates evidence [2]. No audit report on the tender was found.", "sources": [ [ "Information Age (ACS): Visa outsourcing scrapped (26 March 2020)", "https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2020/visa-outsourcing-scrapped.html" ], [ "The Canberra Times: Another $12.7m bite, govt spends millions on zombie visa program (11 August 2021)", "https://canberratimes.com.au/story/7379811/another-127m-bite-govt-spends-millions-on-zombie-visa-program" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/australia-global-digital-platform-visa-tender/" }, { "slug": "australia-smartgate-contracts", "country": "Australia", "title": "SmartGate arrivals and departures programme", "systems": [ "eGates", "biometric border control" ], "buyer": "Department of Home Affairs (Australian Border Force)", "vendor": "Departures: Vision-Box, now part of Amadeus. Arrivals: IDEMIA (Morpho) fleet, as reported", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Vision-Box departures programme from 2015. IDEMIA refurbishment contract reported in 2019", "duration": "IDEMIA maintenance and remediation contract: five years (reported 28 November 2019)", "status": "under review", "value": "IDEMIA arrivals refurbishment: AUD 30 million (reported 28 November 2019). AUD 94 million initiative to automate traveller processing, which AusTender notices showed had more than doubled, as reported by iTnews", "funding": "state budget", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "28 November 2019: iTnews reported that a Vision-Box contactless arrivals trial and roll-out had been paused pending review, and that IDEMIA received a AUD 30 million contract before the review was completed [1]", "2026: The Australian National Audit Office opened a performance audit, Management of the SmartGate contracts, assessing contract management and contractor performance, with public contributions accepted until 29 November 2026 [4]" ], "summary": "Australia runs automated SmartGates at international airports. Vision-Box has supplied departure gates since 2015 and renewed support through 2026 in a 2019 agreement (company statement reported by ID Tech) [2]. Amadeus, which owns Vision-Box, announced a multi-year extension in July 2025 covering ten airports and a mid-life upgrade [3]. iTnews reported in November 2019 that a next-generation contactless arrivals trial was paused and that IDEMIA won a AUD 30 million five-year contract to refurbish arrivals gates [1]. The ANAO is now auditing whether Home Affairs manages the SmartGate contracts effectively [4].", "sources": [ [ "iTnews: Home Affairs purges public details on Australia's airport smartgate upgrade (28 November 2019)", "https://www.itnews.com.au/news/home-affairs-purges-public-details-on-australias-airport-smartgate-upgrade-534672" ], [ "ID Tech: Vision-Box Renews SmartGate Partnership With Australian Government (26 September 2019)", "https://idtechwire.com/vision-box-renews-smartgate-partnership-australian-government-092602" ], [ "Airport Technology: Amadeus extends Departure SmartGates programme with Australian Department of Home Affairs (24 July 2025)", "https://www.airport-technology.com/news/amadeus-departure-smartgates-programme/" ], [ "Australian National Audit Office: Management of the SmartGate contracts, audit in progress (accessed 19 October 2026)", "https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/management-of-the-smartgate-contracts" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/australia-smartgate-contracts/" }, { "slug": "bangladesh-epassport-egates-veridos", "country": "Bangladesh", "title": "Electronic passports and border control systems", "systems": [ "ID documents", "eGates", "biometric border control" ], "buyer": "Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Immigration and Passport", "vendor": "Veridos GmbH (joint venture of Giesecke+Devrient and Bundesdruckerei)", "vendorCountry": "Germany", "signed": "Announced 19 July 2018 (company statement)", "duration": "12 years", "status": "awarded", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "About EUR 340 million (19 July 2018, company statement)", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published. The Department of Immigration and Passport planned local assembly of passport booklets.", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "No audit, parliament, court or regulator action was found in sources opened [1]." ], "summary": "Veridos, a joint venture of Giesecke+Devrient and state-owned Bundesdruckerei, announced on 19 July 2018 a contract worth about EUR 340 million with Bangladesh's Department of Immigration and Passport [1]. The 12-year deal covers e-passport enrolment, personalisation and local booklet assembly, public key infrastructure, a verification platform and 50 eGates at airports, seaports and land ports [1]. Germany's Minister of State Niels Annen spoke at the signing [1]. The company statement did not say how the contract is funded or how it was procured [1].", "sources": [ [ "Giesecke+Devrient (company statement): Veridos wins EUR 340 million contract in Bangladesh (19 July 2018)", "https://www.gi-de.com/en/group/press/press-releases/veridos-wins-eur340-million-contract-in-bangladesh" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/bangladesh-epassport-egates-veridos/" }, { "slug": "bangladesh-border-management-securiport-proposal", "country": "Bangladesh", "title": "Integrated border management network proposal", "systems": [ "API/PNR", "e-visa", "travel authorisation", "biometric border control", "watch lists" ], "buyer": "Ministry of Home Affairs (evaluating)", "vendor": "Securiport", "vendorCountry": "United States", "signed": "Not signed", "duration": "Not published", "status": "under review", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Not published", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published. The initial proposal offered full government data ownership and technology transfer, according to Bangladeshi officials quoted by Biometric Update.", "dataTerms": "Domestic data hosting and full government data ownership were in the initial proposal, as reported. Senior Secretary Manzur Morshed wrote that any agreement must guarantee government ownership of all data.", "procurement": "direct award (proposed direct procurement that needs Cabinet approval)", "oversight": [ "9 September 2026: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved moving ahead with evaluation, as reported by Biometric Update [1].", "30 September 2026: A steering committee led by Home Affairs Senior Secretary Manzur Morshed, with a technical evaluation group, a fee-rate committee and a negotiation team, held its first meeting. Finance Secretary Md Khayeruzzaman Majumder urged a detailed review of costs and compliance with procurement rules [1].", "The ministry invited Securiport to submit a full technical and financial proposal by 22 October 2026 [1]." ], "summary": "Securiport approached Bangladesh in July 2026 with a plan for an integrated border management network covering API and PNR, e-visa and travel authorisation, biometric checks, watch lists and Interpol links [1]. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved evaluation on 9 September 2026 and the Ministry of Home Affairs set up a steering committee with a fee-rate committee [1]. The proposed route is direct procurement needing Cabinet approval [1]. No value or fee was published. A full technical and financial proposal was due by 22 October 2026 [1].", "sources": [ [ "Biometric Update: Bangladesh weighs Securiport proposal for biometric-driven border modernization (12 October 2026)", "https://www.biometricupdate.com/202610/bangladesh-weighs-securiport-proposal-for-biometric-driven-border-modernization" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/bangladesh-border-management-securiport-proposal/" }, { "slug": "benin-caiss-securiport", "country": "Benin", "title": "Civil aviation and immigration security system (CAISS) at Cotonou and Tourou airports", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "passenger screening" ], "buyer": "Republic of Benin", "vendor": "Securiport LLC", "vendorCountry": "United States", "signed": "18 November 2015, per the Cotonou Court of Appeal ruling as quoted by the CCJA. The CCJA recitals give 18 November 2016. The Council of Ministers authorised signature after the fact on 29 November 2015 and 26 January 2016.", "duration": "Not published", "status": "disputed", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Not published. An ICC award of US$95 million in compensation was reported by IAReporter [5].", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published. On 9 April 2016 an interim court order required Securiport to stop processing data on one named individual.", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "9 April 2016: An interim order required Securiport to stop processing the data of one individual, under penalty [1].", "1 March 2017: The state of Benin asked the Cotonou first-instance court, administrative section, to declare the contract void [1].", "15 December 2017: The first-instance court held the arbitration clause manifestly void and declared the contract void for unlawful object [1].", "24 January 2019: An ICC tribunal issued a final award in Securiport v. Republic of Benin [2]. IAReporter reports compensation of US$95 million and a finding that the contract did not breach data privacy law [5].", "28 June 2019: The Cotonou Court of Appeal admitted Securiport's appeal, set aside the first judgment and ruled again on the contract. The operative article on the contract is cut off in the published text, so the appeal court's finding on validity is Not confirmed [1].", "27 October 2020: The Paris Court of Appeal ruled on Benin's application to set aside the award, judgment no. 19/04177 [3]. Global Arbitration Review reports that the court refused to set the award aside and rejected Benin's allegation that the contract was obtained through corruption [4].", "31 December 2020: The OHADA Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (CCJA), ruling no. 369/2020, declared Securiport's cassation appeal inadmissible as filed out of time and ordered the company to pay costs. It said in passing that an arbitral tribunal's jurisdiction covers the effects of a contract, not its formation [1]." ], "summary": "Benin signed a contract with Securiport for a civil aviation and immigration security system at Cotonou and Tourou airports [1]. The court record gives the signing date as 18 November 2015 in one place and 18 November 2016 in another [1]. Benin sued to void the contract in 2017 and a Cotonou court did so, a ruling the appeal court revisited in June 2019 [1]. An ICC tribunal ruled for Securiport in January 2019, with US$95 million in compensation reported [2, 5]. The Paris Court of Appeal refused to set that award aside in October 2020 and rejected Benin's corruption argument, as reported by Global Arbitration Review [3, 4].", "sources": [ [ "Kohen Avocats (republication of CCJA ruling): Arrêt N° 369/2020, Société SECURIPORT LLC c/ Etat béninois (31 December 2020)", "https://kohenavocats.com/en/jurisprudences/arret-n-369-2020-affaire-societe-securiport-llc-c-etat-beninois/" ], [ "Jus Mundi: Securiport v. Republic of Benin, ICC Final Award (24 January 2019)", "https://jusmundi.com/en/document/decision/en-securiport-v-republic-of-benin-final-award-tuesday-1st-january-2019" ], [ "Jus Mundi: Securiport v. Republic of Benin, Judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal, no. 19/04177 (27 October 2020)", "https://jusmundi.com/fr/document/decision/fr-securiport-v-republic-of-benin-arret-de-la-cour-dappel-de-paris-tuesday-27th-october-2020" ], [ "Global Arbitration Review: Benin fails in corruption challenge to airport award (12 November 2020)", "https://globalarbitrationreview.com/benin-fails-in-corruption-challenge-airport-award" ], [ "IAReporter: Securiport v. Benin, case page (accessed 19 October 2026)", "https://www.iareporter.com/arbitration-cases/securiport-v-benin/" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/benin-caiss-securiport/" }, { "slug": "canada-arrivecan-cbsa", "country": "Canada", "title": "ArriveCAN application", "systems": [ "passenger screening", "travel authorisation" ], "buyer": "Canada Border Services Agency, with the Public Health Agency of Canada", "vendor": "Several contractors, including GC Strategies", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published", "duration": "Not published", "status": "in operation", "value": "About CAD 59.5 million, Auditor General estimate (February 2024). Exact cost could not be calculated", "funding": "state budget", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "direct award", "oversight": [ "12 February 2024: The Auditor General of Canada reported ArriveCAN cost about CAD 59.5 million, that the initial contract was non-competitive with little documentation, that GC Strategies helped set requirements for a later CAD 25 million competitive contract, and that contract management was very poor [1]", "12 February 2024: Auditor General Karen Hogan told the House public accounts committee she found a glaring disregard for basic policies and rules, as reported by CBC News [2]" ], "summary": "ArriveCAN was the pandemic-era app used by travellers entering Canada, developed for the Canada Border Services Agency [1] [2]. The Auditor General reported in February 2024 that the agency lacked complete financial records and estimated the cost at about CAD 59.5 million [1]. The audit found the first contract was awarded without competition and with little documentation, and that GC Strategies was involved in writing narrow requirements for a later CAD 25 million competitive contract [1]. It found no evidence that staff disclosed contractor invitations to private events [1]. CBC reported the app had been made optional [2].", "sources": [ [ "Office of the Auditor General of Canada: 2024 Report 1, opening statement to the news conference on ArriveCAN (12 February 2024)", "https://www2.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/osm_20240212_e_44431.html" ], [ "CBC News: Total cost of ArriveCan impossible to determine due to poor record-keeping, AG report finds (12 February 2024)", "https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.7111043" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/canada-arrivecan-cbsa/" }, { "slug": "canada-electronic-travel-authorization", "country": "Canada", "title": "Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)", "systems": [ "travel authorisation" ], "buyer": "Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada", "vendor": "Not published", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published", "duration": "Not published", "status": "in operation", "value": "Not published", "funding": "passenger fee", "feeModel": "CAD 7 per application, paid by foreign travellers who fly to or transit through a Canadian airport (IRCC page modified 5 June 2026)", "ownership": "Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [], "summary": "Canada's eTA is an online entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign travellers who fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada runs the programme and charges CAD 7 per application, according to its official page last modified on 5 June 2026 [1]. Dual Canadian citizens need a Canadian passport instead. No contract, vendor, system cost or audit finding for the eTA was found in the sources reviewed. The entry is kept as a fee reference point next to the UK ETA and EU ETIAS.", "sources": [ [ "Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (modified 5 June 2026)", "https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/canada-electronic-travel-authorization/" }, { "slug": "central-african-republic-caiss-securiport", "country": "Central African Republic", "title": "Civil aviation and immigration security services at M'Poko International Airport", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "passenger screening" ], "buyer": "Government of the Central African Republic", "vendor": "Securiport", "vendorCountry": "United States", "signed": "Announced 15 January 2020 (company statement)", "duration": "Not published", "status": "awarded", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Not published", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "No audit, parliament, court or regulator action was found in sources opened [1][2]." ], "summary": "Securiport announced on 15 January 2020 that it had signed a contract with the Central African Republic for its Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services, including biometric screening at M'Poko International Airport in Bangui [1]. The company statement said the systems were due to go live in the first half of 2020 [1]. EcoMatin, writing in November 2025, referred to the January 2020 contract for biometric border and immigration control [2]. The signatories, contract length, value and funding model were not published. Whether the system went live was not confirmed in sources opened.", "sources": [ [ "Securiport (company statement): Securiport signs deal with the Central African Republic and successfully completes program in Equatorial Guinea (15 January 2020)", "https://securiport.com/2020/01/15/securiport-signs-deal-with-the-central-african-republic-and-successfully-completes-program-in-equatorial-guinea/" ], [ "EcoMatin: Guinée équatoriale, l'américain Securiport veut investir 57 milliards FCFA pour renforcer la sécurité aéroportuaire (5 November 2025)", "https://ecomatin.net/guinee-equatoriale-lamericain-securiport-veut-investir-57-milliards-fcfa-pour-renforcer-la-securite-aeroportuaire" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/central-african-republic-caiss-securiport/" }, { "slug": "drc-biometric-passport-semlex", "country": "Democratic Republic of the Congo", "title": "Biometric passport production", "systems": [ "ID documents" ], "buyer": "Government of the DRC (signed by the foreign and finance ministers)", "vendor": "Semlex", "vendorCountry": "Belgium", "signed": "11 June 2015", "duration": "Five years, as reported by Reuters. Semlex produced DRC passports from 2015 to 2025, as reported.", "status": "completed", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Semlex agreed to invest USD 222 million, as reported by Reuters (2017)", "funding": "passenger fee", "feeModel": "USD 185 per passport paid by the applicant. Reuters reported the split as USD 65 to the government, USD 48 to Semlex-linked firms, USD 60 to UAE company LRPS and USD 12 to Mantenga Contacto Trading.", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "direct award (a procurement regulator official told Reuters it was handled directly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)", "oversight": [ "2017: Reuters reported a Congolese procurement regulator official said the deal should have gone to public tender. Zetes confirmed it offered in 2014 to supply passports at USD 28.50 each. Semlex called the reporting a smear campaign [1][2].", "2020: 51 DRC citizens and anti-corruption groups joined a Belgian criminal investigation as civil parties [2].", "1 September 2026: A Brussels council chamber ordered Semlex and 13 other defendants to stand trial on corruption, money laundering and tax fraud charges linked to the passport contract, as reported by Reuters. The allegations had not been proven in court [2]." ], "summary": "Semlex signed a five-year contract with the DRC on 11 June 2015 to produce biometric passports, as reported by Reuters [1]. The passport cost applicants USD 185, of which Reuters reported USD 65 went to the state and USD 60 to a UAE company [1]. A procurement regulator official told Reuters the deal was handled directly by the foreign ministry [1]. Semlex produced the passports until 2025 [2]. On 1 September 2026 a Brussels court ordered Semlex and 13 others to trial on corruption, money laundering and tax fraud charges, which remain unproven [2]. Semlex said in 2017 it was the target of a smear campaign [2].", "sources": [ [ "Citizen Digital (Reuters): Congo's pricey passports send millions of dollars offshore (2017)", "https://www.citizen.digital/news/congos-pricey-passports-send-millions-of-dollars-offshore-163622" ], [ "BusinessDay (Reuters): Belgian court orders trial for corruption, money laundering linked to DRC passport deal (2 September 2026)", "https://www.businessday.co.za/world/2026-09-02-belgian-court-orders-trial-for-corruption-money-laundering-linked-to-drc-passport-deal/" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/drc-biometric-passport-semlex/" }, { "slug": "drc-security-immigration-system-securiport", "country": "Democratic Republic of the Congo", "title": "Integrated security and immigration management system", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "passenger screening" ], "buyer": "Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Transport", "vendor": "Securiport", "vendorCountry": "United States", "signed": "Not published", "duration": "Not published", "status": "awarded", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Not published", "funding": "passenger fee", "feeModel": "Article 38 of the contract sets a USD 30 fee on every arriving and departing international air passenger. The government said the fee is not new and is already in ticket prices collected by airlines, with part now redirected to the contract. Fees go monthly into a joint account run by the government and Securiport, with an irrevocable instruction to send 85% to Securiport to recover its investment and 15% to the state, as reported by Ecofin Agency.", "ownership": "Build-Train-Maintain-Transfer. Securiport finances, designs, installs and maintains the system. Full ownership of infrastructure, equipment and software passes to the state at the end of the contract.", "dataTerms": "The system centralises migration data. Storage location and control terms Not published.", "procurement": "Not confirmed. No official statement explains how Securiport was chosen. A source close to the executive told Bankable the process began about a decade earlier with a public tender.", "oversight": [ "7 November 2025: The government responded to a leak of contract excerpts by saying the USD 30 fee was already included in international fares, as reported by Ecofin Agency. No audit, parliament or court action was found in sources opened [1]." ], "summary": "The DRC Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Transport signed a public-private partnership with Securiport for an integrated security and immigration system at airports, border posts and ports [1]. Leaked excerpts reported by Ecofin Agency in November 2025 show a USD 30 fee per international air passenger, paid into a joint account and split 85% to Securiport and 15% to the state [1]. Ownership of the system passes to the state at the end of the contract. The government said the fee was already in ticket prices and is partly redirected from other agencies [1]. Signing date, duration and contract value were not published.", "sources": [ [ "Ecofin Agency: DRC clarifies $30 airport security fee after contract leak (7 November 2025)", "https://www.ecofinagency.com/news-services/0711-50240-drc-clarifies-30-airport-security-fee-after-contract-leak" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/drc-security-immigration-system-securiport/" }, { "slug": "equatorial-guinea-border-security-securiport", "country": "Equatorial Guinea", "title": "Border security systems under a build, maintain and transfer contract", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "passenger screening" ], "buyer": "Government of Equatorial Guinea", "vendor": "Securiport", "vendorCountry": "United States", "signed": "Not published. The company said in January 2020 that it had been in the country for a decade.", "duration": "About ten years, per the company statement", "status": "completed", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Not published. A November 2025 upgrade proposal was put at USD 100 million (about 57.1 billion FCFA).", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Build, maintain and transfer. Securiport said in January 2020 that the authorities chose the transfer option and it handed all border security systems to the government.", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "15 January 2020: Securiport said it had transferred all border security systems to the government at the end of the contract (company statement) [1].", "4 November 2025: Securiport CEO Enrique Segura presented a USD 100 million proposal to upgrade security at Malabo, Bata and President Obiang Nguema airports. Vice-President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mangue said the government would analyse it, as reported by EcoMatin [2]." ], "summary": "Securiport ran border security systems in Equatorial Guinea for about ten years under a build, maintain and transfer contract. It said in January 2020 that the government chose the transfer option and took over the systems [1]. The company statement cited an INTERPOL commendation for work around the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations [1]. On 4 November 2025 Securiport proposed a USD 100 million upgrade covering three international airports, which the vice-president said the government would review [2]. Start date, value and funding of the original contract were not published.", "sources": [ [ "Securiport (company statement): Securiport signs deal with the Central African Republic and successfully completes program in Equatorial Guinea (15 January 2020)", "https://securiport.com/2020/01/15/securiport-signs-deal-with-the-central-african-republic-and-successfully-completes-program-in-equatorial-guinea/" ], [ "EcoMatin: Guinée équatoriale, l'américain Securiport veut investir 57 milliards FCFA pour renforcer la sécurité aéroportuaire (5 November 2025)", "https://ecomatin.net/guinee-equatoriale-lamericain-securiport-veut-investir-57-milliards-fcfa-pour-renforcer-la-securite-aeroportuaire" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/equatorial-guinea-border-security-securiport/" }, { "slug": "eu-entry-exit-system-eulisa", "country": "European Union", "title": "Entry/Exit System (EES)", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "API/PNR", "watch lists" ], "buyer": "eu-LISA (European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems), for the European Commission", "vendor": "Development and maintenance: consortium led by Sword Services Greece with Netcompany and Sopra Steria (contract ranked first under eu-LISA's Dynamic Purchasing System, company statement 4 June 2026)", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published (development and maintenance contract announced 4 June 2026)", "duration": "4 years (development and maintenance framework contract, company statement 4 June 2026)", "status": "in operation", "value": "EUR 480 million estimated for development in the revised 2016 proposal, down from EUR 1.1 billion set aside in the 2013 proposals for EES and a Registered Traveller Programme (Legislative Observatory summary of 6 April 2016). Development and maintenance contract estimated at EUR 93 million (company statement, 4 June 2026)", "funding": "state budget", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "eu-LISA is responsible for developing and managing the system (European Commission, page dated 10 April 2026)", "dataTerms": "The system records name, travel document data, fingerprints, facial images, date and place of entry and exit, and refusals of entry. Managed centrally by eu-LISA (European Commission, 10 April 2026)", "procurement": "framework", "oversight": [ "18 July 2022: Written question E-002640/2022 by MEP Cornelia Ernst stated that roll-out had been delayed until May 2023 and that the Commission blamed the system contractors. The Commission answer was not reviewed [3]", "12 October 2025: eu-LISA reported the system entered operation, with Member States given up to 180 days to complete deployment [4]", "10 April 2026: The European Commission states the system became fully operational and replaced passport stamping [2]", "8 July 2026: InsideFlyer reported long queues and missed flights at major airports linked to EES roll-out problems [6]" ], "summary": "The EES registers non-EU short-stay travellers at Schengen external borders with fingerprints and facial images in place of passport stamps [2]. The Commission's 2016 revised proposal estimated development at EUR 480 million, against EUR 1.1 billion set aside in 2013 for EES and a traveller programme [1]. An MEP question in July 2022 said start-up had slipped to May 2023 [3]. The system started on 12 October 2025 [4] and became fully operational on 10 April 2026 [2]. In June 2026 a consortium led by Sword Services Greece was ranked first for a four-year development and maintenance contract estimated at EUR 93 million (company statement) [5]. InsideFlyer reported queues linked to roll-out problems in July 2026 [6].", "sources": [ [ "European Parliament Legislative Observatory: Entry/Exit System (EES) 2016/0106(COD) document summary (6 April 2016)", "https://oeil.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/en/document-summary?id=1430660" ], [ "European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs: Entry/Exit System (EES) (10 April 2026)", "https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/smart-borders/entry-exit-system_en" ], [ "European Parliament: Question E-002640/2022, Entry/Exit System further delayed (18 July 2022)", "https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2022-002640_EN.html" ], [ "eu-LISA: The Entry/Exit System Successfully Connected Across Europe (13 October 2025)", "https://www.eulisa.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/entryexit-system-successfully-connected-across-europe" ], [ "Sword Group via GlobeNewswire, company statement: Strategic contract with eu-LISA (4 June 2026)", "https://www.placera.se/pressmeddelanden/sword-group-sword-group-strategic-contract-with-eu-lisa-20260604" ], [ "InsideFlyer: EU postpones ETIAS travel authorization to 2027 (8 July 2026)", "https://insideflyer.com/posts/eu-postpones-etias-travel-authorization-to-2027/" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/eu-entry-exit-system-eulisa/" }, { "slug": "eu-etias-travel-authorisation", "country": "European Union", "title": "European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)", "systems": [ "travel authorisation", "watch lists" ], "buyer": "European Commission, with eu-LISA as managing agency (as reported)", "vendor": "Not published", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published", "duration": "Not published", "status": "proposed", "value": "Not published", "funding": "passenger fee", "feeModel": "EUR 20 per application, up from EUR 7, paid by visa-exempt non-EU travellers. Applicants under 18 or over 70 are exempt. The Commission said the increase covers operating costs and inflation (European Commission, 17 July 2025)", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "17 July 2025: The Commission announced the EUR 20 fee, subject to a two-month review by the Council and the European Parliament, renewable once [1]", "8 July 2026: InsideFlyer, citing The Points Guy, reported that eu-LISA confirmed a 2027 target and that the system no longer had a firm launch date [2]" ], "summary": "ETIAS will require visa-exempt non-EU travellers to apply online before visiting 30 European countries, with most decisions made automatically within minutes [1]. On 17 July 2025 the Commission set the fee at EUR 20 instead of EUR 7, with under-18s and over-70s exempt, and said operations were expected in the last quarter of 2026 [1]. Sources conflict on timing. On 8 July 2026 InsideFlyer reported, citing The Points Guy, that eu-LISA had confirmed a 2027 target after technical problems linked to the Entry/Exit System [2]. No contract value or vendor for ETIAS was found in the sources reviewed.", "sources": [ [ "European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs: The European travel authorisation ETIAS will cost EUR 20 (17 July 2025)", "https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/european-travel-authorisation-etias-will-cost-eur-20-2025-07-17_en" ], [ "InsideFlyer: EU postpones ETIAS travel authorization to 2027 (8 July 2026)", "https://insideflyer.com/posts/eu-postpones-etias-travel-authorization-to-2027/" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/eu-etias-travel-authorisation/" }, { "slug": "eu-shared-biometric-matching-system-idemia-sopra-steria", "country": "European Union", "title": "Shared Biometric Matching System (sBMS)", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "watch lists" ], "buyer": "eu-LISA", "vendor": "IDEMIA and Sopra Steria consortium", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "2020 (announced 3 June 2020, company statement)", "duration": "4 years, with an option to extend up to 6 years", "status": "awarded", "value": "Not published", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "A database of over 400 million third-country nationals with fingerprints and facial images, serving the Entry/Exit System first and later SIS, VIS, Eurodac and ECRIS-TCN (company statement, 3 June 2020)", "procurement": "framework", "oversight": [ "3 June 2020: The vendors stated the framework contract followed a competitive call for tender, reference LISA/2019/RP/05 EES BMS and sBMS [1]" ], "summary": "eu-LISA chose a consortium of IDEMIA and Sopra Steria in 2020 to build the shared biometric matching system that sits under several EU border and police databases (company statement) [1]. The framework contract runs four years with an option to extend up to six. The system first serves identification for the Entry/Exit System and is to support the Schengen Information System, the Visa Information System, Eurodac and ECRIS-TCN. The vendors said it would hold fingerprints and facial images of over 400 million third-country nationals [1]. The release did not state a contract value, and no audit finding on sBMS was found in the sources reviewed.", "sources": [ [ "IDEMIA and Sopra Steria via Business Wire, company statement: IDEMIA and Sopra Steria Chosen by eu-LISA to Build the New Shared Biometric Matching System (sBMS) (3 June 2020)", "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200603005529/en" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/eu-shared-biometric-matching-system-idemia-sopra-steria/" }, { "slug": "ghana-card-nia-identity-management-systems", "country": "Ghana", "title": "Ghana Card national identification system", "systems": [ "ID documents" ], "buyer": "National Identification Authority (NIA)", "vendor": "Identity Management Systems (IMS), a subsidiary of the Margins Group", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Final approval 2018. Builds on a 2012 Foreigner Identity Management System pilot agreement between NIA and IMS", "duration": "15 years", "status": "in operation", "value": "USD 293 million for the one-year issuance phase: USD 124 million from the state and USD 169 million from IMS. About USD 1.2 billion projected over the 15-year life cycle (NIA, 2018)", "funding": "concession/PPP", "feeModel": "Part of NIA revenue from use of the card is to cover operating costs and repay the partner's investment over 15 years (NIA, 2018)", "ownership": "Public private partnership under build, maintain, operate and transfer terms (NIA, 2018). Transfer date not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "2014: The PPP committee of the Ministry of Finance gave two approvals to the feasibility study, before final approval in 2018, according to NIA [2]", "2018: NIA stated the costs underwent value for money audits by the Public Procurement Authority and that copies of the contract went to all 275 members of Parliament [2]", "5 March 2019: NIA rejected a demand by the parliamentary Minority Leader for a forensic audit of the contract and denied the cost was inflated [1]", "Before April 2018: NIA said the contract was reviewed by the Public Procurement Authority (value for money audit), the Public Investments Division, the Attorney-General's Department, the Ministry of Finance legal unit, the PPP Approval Committee and the Economic Management Team, and approved by Cabinet. Parliament granted import duty waivers before execution [4].", "5 March 2019: NIA responded to a Minority demand for a forensic audit of the contract, saying IMS receives no money from the government and later costs are covered by project proceeds over 15 years [4].", "January 2026: Citi Newsroom reported Margins and NIA had registered 19.2 million Ghanaians aged 15 and over [5]." ], "summary": "Ghana Card is the national biometric ID card, run by the National Identification Authority under a public private partnership with Identity Management Systems [1]. NIA said in 2018 that the one-year issuance phase cost USD 293 million, with the state paying USD 124 million from the consolidated fund and IMS USD 169 million, and that about USD 1.2 billion was projected over 15 years [2]. The card carries an e-passport profile for ECOWAS travel [2]. In March 2019 NIA rejected a Minority call for a forensic audit [1]. NIA's site says L.I. 2523, requiring verification instead of photocopying, takes effect on 2 November 2026 [3].", "sources": [ [ "National Identification Authority: Cost of the Ghana Card project is $124 million, reaction to Minority Leader's demand for forensic audit (5 March 2019)", "https://nia.gov.gh/cost-of-ghana-card-project/" ], [ "Graphic Online: Ghana Card to cost $293 million in one year, NIA (2 June 2018)", "https://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-cards-to-cost-293-million-in-one-year-nia.html" ], [ "National Identification Authority: home page (accessed 19 October 2026)", "https://nia.gov.gh/" ], [ "National Identification Authority: Cost of the Ghana Card project is $124 million (5 March 2019)", "https://nia.gov.gh/cost-of-ghana-card-project/" ], [ "Citi Newsroom: Margins takes Ghana's ID success to The Gambia (21 January 2026)", "https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/01/margins-takes-ghanas-id-success-to-the-gambia/" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/ghana-card-nia-identity-management-systems/" }, { "slug": "india-digi-yatra-foundation", "country": "India", "title": "Digi Yatra facial recognition boarding", "systems": [ "passenger screening", "airport security screening" ], "buyer": "Ministry of Civil Aviation, through Digi Yatra Foundation", "vendor": "Digi Yatra Foundation (joint venture). Technology supplier not confirmed. The AAI DigiYatra presentation to ICAO carries SITA copyright footers", "vendorCountry": "India (Digi Yatra Foundation)", "signed": "Not published", "duration": "Not published", "status": "in operation", "value": "Not published", "funding": "concession/PPP", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Digi Yatra Foundation is a not-for-profit joint venture company incorporated by Airports Authority of India and private airport operators. AAI holds 26 percent (AAI and SITA presentation to ICAO, July 2024)", "dataTerms": "No central store of passenger personal data. Data stays in the passenger's smartphone wallet and is shared with the origin airport for ID validation, then purged from the airport system 24 hours after departure (Lok Sabha answer, 8 February 2024)", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "8 February 2024: The Ministry of Civil Aviation told the Lok Sabha, in reply to Unstarred Question 1093, that the system follows privacy by design and keeps no central store of passenger data [2]" ], "summary": "Digi Yatra lets domestic air passengers in India pass airport checkpoints using facial recognition linked to Aadhaar-verified credentials and a boarding pass [2]. It is run by Digi Yatra Foundation, a not-for-profit joint venture of Airports Authority of India and private airport operators, with AAI holding 26 percent [1]. AAI airports launched it from 1 December 2022 at Varanasi, with more airports on 7 June 2024, and about 6 million passengers had used it at AAI airports by mid-2024 [1]. The ministry told the Lok Sabha on 8 February 2024 that data stays on the passenger's phone and airports purge it 24 hours after departure [2].", "sources": [ [ "ICAO Asia Pacific, AOP-SG/8 information paper: DigiYatra Overview, Airports Authority of India presentation (17 July 2024)", "https://www.icao.int/sites/default/files/APAC/Meetings/2024/2024%20AOP-SG-8/4-Information%20Papers/DigiYatra_Overview_IP20.pdf" ], [ "Lok Sabha: Unstarred Question No. 1093, Digi Yatra, Ministry of Civil Aviation answer (8 February 2024)", "https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2974246/1/AU1093.pdf" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/india-digi-yatra-foundation/" }, { "slug": "indonesia-immigration-control-system-securiport", "country": "Indonesia", "title": "Immigration Control System at seven international airports", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "passenger screening", "watch lists" ], "buyer": "Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Directorate General of Immigration)", "vendor": "PT Securiport International Indonesia (project enterprise), Securiport Limited Liability Company (MIGA guarantee holder)", "vendorCountry": "United States", "signed": "1 March 2022", "duration": "20 years from the commercial operation date", "status": "awarded", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Not published. MIGA lists a guarantee of up to USD 100 million covering a shareholder loan (fiscal year 2023).", "funding": "concession/PPP", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Public-private partnership on a design-build-finance-maintenance-transfer scheme. The date of transfer is Not published.", "dataTerms": "Border control systems are operated by government immigration staff, according to MIGA. Minister Yasonna Laoly said data from the system could be used by other government agencies under the law, naming the communications, health, home affairs, finance and agriculture ministries, the counter-terrorism and narcotics agencies and the cyber agency. Storage location Not published beyond two planned data centres.", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "12 to 18 November 2020: Officials from the Directorate General of Immigration, the communications ministry, the cyber and crypto agency BSSN and PT Telkom visited Senegal to benchmark the system before the agreement was signed [3].", "14 February 2023: MIGA disclosed its environmental and social review summary, rating the project Category B [2].", "14 March 2023: MIGA lists this as the approval date for a guarantee of up to USD 100 million for up to 15 years, covering transfer restriction, expropriation and breach of contract (arbitral award default only). The project page still shows the status as Proposed [1][2]." ], "summary": "On 1 March 2022 Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly signed a cooperation agreement with Securiport to upgrade Indonesia's Immigration Control System, starting at Soekarno-Hatta and Ngurah Rai airports [3]. MIGA describes a 20-year design-build-finance-maintenance-transfer partnership covering seven airports, five training centres and two data centres, with immigration staff operating the system [2]. The World Bank Group agency lists a guarantee of up to USD 100 million on Securiport's shareholder loan, approved 14 March 2023 [1]. How Securiport earns revenue under the agreement was not published in sources opened [1][2].", "sources": [ [ "MIGA: PT Securiport International Indonesia, project brief (fiscal year 2023)", "https://www.miga.org/project/pt-securiport-international-indonesia" ], [ "MIGA: PT Securiport International Indonesia, environmental and social review summary (disclosed 14 February 2023)", "https://www.miga.org/project/pt-securiport-international-indonesia-0" ], [ "Directorate General of Immigration: Tekan Kejahatan Transnasional, Imigrasi Perbarui Teknologi Pengawasan di Pintu Masuk Negara (1 March 2022)", "https://imigrasi.go.id/berita/2022/06/15/tekan-kejahatan-transnasional-imigrasi-perbarui-teknologi-pengawasan-di-pintu-masuk-negara" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/indonesia-immigration-control-system-securiport/" }, { "slug": "japan-face-recognition-gates-panasonic", "country": "Japan", "title": "Automated facial recognition gates at airports", "systems": [ "eGates", "biometric border control" ], "buyer": "Immigration Services Agency, Ministry of Justice", "vendor": "Panasonic Corporation", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "First selected October 2017. Additional order announced 30 August 2019 (company statement)", "duration": "Not published", "status": "in operation", "value": "Not published", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Gates compare the face image in the passport chip with a live image, with no prior biometric registration (company statement, 30 August 2019). Storage terms not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [], "summary": "Japan's Immigration Services Agency first chose Panasonic facial recognition gates in October 2017, and three units began operating at Haneda on 18 October 2017 (company statement) [1]. By 2018, 137 units were in use at five major airports. An additional order announced on 30 August 2019 brought the total to 203 units at seven airports, 123 of them for foreign nationals on departure [1]. The gates match the traveller's face against the passport chip photo without prior enrolment. Panasonic cited the ministry as saying about 80 percent of Japanese travellers use the gates [1]. No contract value or audit finding was found.", "sources": [ [ "Panasonic, company statement: additional automated facial recognition gates for airports in Japan (30 August 2019)", "https://news.panasonic.com/global/press/en190830-4" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/japan-face-recognition-gates-panasonic/" }, { "slug": "kenya-ecitizen-eta-webmasters-pesaflow", "country": "Kenya", "title": "eCitizen government payment platform and Electronic Travel Authorisation", "systems": [ "travel authorisation", "e-visa" ], "buyer": "ICT Authority (agreement), with National Treasury and the Government Digital Payment Unit", "vendor": "Webmasters Kenya Limited in consortium with Pesaflow Limited and Olive Tree Media Limited", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published", "duration": "Not published", "status": "under review", "value": "Not published", "funding": "passenger fee", "feeModel": "ETA from USD 30 for normal processing, plus USD 100 for expedited processing (official ETA site). Convenience fee on eCitizen payments set by Gazette Notice as a percentage, charged at KES 50 per transaction according to the Auditor General, as reported", "ownership": "The government owns the platform, according to the Auditor General's special audit as reported by The Star (6 August 2025)", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "6 August 2025: The Star reported a special audit tabled before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee found payments of KES 492,162,940 and USD 414,299.60 to Electronic Citizen Solution Ltd, which was not party to the agreement, KES 195.6 million paid for gateway services on a government-owned platform, KES 6.2 billion received in an unapproved Pesaflow account, and KES 2.2 billion in irregular convenience fees [1]", "6 August 2025: Parliament summoned the Treasury and ICT principal secretaries over the audit, as reported [1]" ], "summary": "eCitizen is the Kenyan government payment portal. Kenya's official ETA site carries eCitizen branding and lists fees from USD 30 [2]. The Star reported on 6 August 2025 that an Auditor General special audit found the government paid KES 492 million and USD 414,299.60 to a company outside the agreement between the ICT Authority and the Webmasters Kenya consortium [1]. The audit found KES 6.2 billion in an unapproved collection account, KES 127.9 million moved from the state paybill to private entities on 25 January 2024, and convenience fees charged at a flat KES 50 in breach of the gazette notice [1]. MPs were reviewing the report.", "sources": [ [ "The Star: Two PSs summoned after audit exposes multi-billion rot in e-Citizen (6 August 2025)", "https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025-08-06-two-pss-summoned-over-multi-billion-rot-in-e-citizen" ], [ "Republic of Kenya: Electronic Travel Authorisation official site and FAQs (accessed 19 October 2026)", "https://www.etakenya.go.ke/faqs" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/kenya-ecitizen-eta-webmasters-pesaflow/" }, { "slug": "kenya-maisha-namba-digital-id", "country": "Kenya", "title": "Maisha Namba unique personal identifier and digital ID", "systems": [ "ID documents" ], "buyer": "Ministry of Interior, State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services", "vendor": "Not published", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published (pilot began 1 November 2023)", "duration": "Not published", "status": "disputed", "value": "Not published", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "5 December 2023: High Court Justice John Chigiti granted leave operating as a stay of the roll-out, on a Katiba Institute application arguing no data protection impact assessment was done under section 31 of the Data Protection Act, as reported [1]", "23 February 2024: The High Court lifted the order and transferred the case to the Constitutional Division, after the Interior Ministry argued two divisions risked conflicting judgments, as reported [2]" ], "summary": "Kenya's Interior Ministry began piloting Maisha Namba, a lifelong unique personal identifier, on 1 November 2023 [1]. Katiba Institute challenged the roll-out, arguing that no data protection impact assessment had been done and that the system built on data collected during the Huduma Namba exercise [1]. On 5 December 2023 Justice John Chigiti granted leave that operated as a stay [1]. Kenyans.co.ke reported on 23 February 2024 that the court lifted the stay and moved the case to the Constitutional Division [2]. The outcome of that case, the vendor and the system cost were not confirmed in the sources reviewed.", "sources": [ [ "Kenyans.co.ke: High Court Suspends Rollout of New Digital IDs (5 December 2023)", "https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/95298-high-court-suspends-rollout-new-digital-ids" ], [ "Kenyans.co.ke: Court Allows Interior Ministry to Roll Out Maisha Namba (23 February 2024)", "https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/97884-court-allows-ict-ministry-roll-out-maisha-namba" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/kenya-maisha-namba-digital-id/" }, { "slug": "malawi-epassport-techno-brain", "country": "Malawi", "title": "Passport issuance system upgrade and e-passport", "systems": [ "ID documents" ], "buyer": "Government of Malawi (Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services)", "vendor": "Techno Brain", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "March 2019", "duration": "Not published", "status": "terminated", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "USD 60.8 million (about K103.3 billion), as reported by The Nation (15 April 2024)", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "December 2021: Attorney General Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda cancelled the contract under section 46(c) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act 2017, as reported by Business Daily. He said it should not have been signed, citing several irregularities, as reported by The Nation [1][2].", "2023: The government brought Techno Brain back on a temporary basis as it sought a replacement [2].", "February 2024: The Immigration Department suspended passport issuance after a system failure. President Lazarus Chakwera told Parliament the system had been hacked and ransom demanded [2].", "15 April 2024: The Ministry of Justice said the government had hired local firm E-Tech Systems to deal with the problems at the department [2]." ], "summary": "Malawi signed a USD 60.8 million contract with Techno Brain in March 2019 to upgrade passport issuance and introduce an e-passport [2]. In December 2021 the Attorney General cancelled it under the public procurement law, citing irregularities [1][2]. The government brought Techno Brain back on a temporary basis in 2023 [2]. After a hack halted passport printing in early 2024, the government hired local firm E-Tech Systems, as reported by The Nation [2]. Techno Brain's Nandan Gopalakrishna said the company had responded quickly to an urgent request for help in January 2024 [2].", "sources": [ [ "Business Daily: Techno Brain loses Sh7bn Malawi e-passport contract (22 December 2021)", "https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/corporate/companies/techno-brain-loses-sh7bn-malawi-e-passport-contract-3661064" ], [ "The Nation (Malawi): Govt contracts new passport supplier (15 April 2024)", "https://mwnation.com/?p=365705" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/malawi-epassport-techno-brain/" }, { "slug": "mali-caiss-concession-securiport", "country": "Mali", "title": "Concession for a civil aviation and immigration security system", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "passenger screening" ], "buyer": "Government of Mali", "vendor": "Sécuriport LLC", "vendorCountry": "United States", "signed": "September 2016 (Council of Ministers approved the decree on the concession contract)", "duration": "Not published", "status": "under review", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Not published", "funding": "concession/PPP", "feeModel": "The concession set up a framework for managing an airport security fee. Amount, payer and split Not published.", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "30 August 2023: Former Security and Civil Protection Minister General Salif Traoré was placed in pre-trial detention in the Sécuriport case, and former transport minister Seynabou Diop Traoré was questioned and released, as reported by Ndarinfo citing ABAMAKO. The report said misappropriation was found during the execution of the contract. These allegations had not been tested in court in sources opened [1]." ], "summary": "In September 2016 Mali's Council of Ministers under President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta approved a decree on a concession contract with Sécuriport LLC for a civil aviation and immigration security system [1]. The stated aim was better identification of passengers and aviation staff in line with ICAO recommendations and a framework for an airport security fee [1]. On 30 August 2023 a former security minister was placed in pre-trial detention in what the press called the Sécuriport case [1]. The fee amount, contract value and current status of the concession were not published in sources opened.", "sources": [ [ "Ndarinfo (citing ABAMAKO): Mali, des dignitaires de l'ancien régime dans le collimateur de la justice (31 August 2023)", "https://www.ndarinfo.com/Mali-des-dignitaires-de-l-ancien-regime-dans-le-collimateur-de-la-justice_a36425.html" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/mali-caiss-concession-securiport/" }, { "slug": "nigeria-epassport-iris-smart-technologies", "country": "Nigeria", "title": "E-passport booklet production and issuance system", "systems": [ "ID documents" ], "buyer": "Federal Ministry of Interior (Nigeria Immigration Service)", "vendor": "Iris Smart Technologies Limited", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Renewal agreement dated April 2015", "duration": "Not published", "status": "in operation", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Not published. A House committee said the existing e-passport network holds over N22 billion in systems and equipment (June 2023).", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published. A House committee described the process as fair and transparent (June 2023).", "oversight": [ "7 June 2023: The House of Representatives adopted the report of its ad hoc committee on the proposed domestication of passport production and advised the government against ending the Iris Smart Technologies contract, saying unilateral termination would be legally harmful to the government and would stall production of 10 million booklets [1][2].", "26 November 2024: At a joint National Assembly hearing on the 2025 to 2027 fiscal framework, Senator Sani Musa called a Nigeria Immigration Service revenue arrangement giving 70% of proceeds to consultancy firms and 30% to the government unacceptable, as reported by Order Paper. The report did not name the firms [3]." ], "summary": "Iris Smart Technologies produces Nigeria's e-passport booklets under a renewal agreement with the Federal Ministry of Interior dated April 2015 [1]. When the government considered moving production to the state mint, a House of Representatives committee advised in June 2023 that the contract run its course, citing over N22 billion in existing systems and a 36 to 48 month gap before a new system [1][2]. In November 2024 a senator called a Nigeria Immigration Service revenue arrangement giving 70% to consultancy firms unacceptable, as reported [3]. Contract value and fee terms were not published.", "sources": [ [ "Voice of Nigeria: Lawmakers Warn Nigeria Against Terminating 10m E-passports Production Contract (June 2023, date not shown)", "https://von.gov.ng/?p=249364" ], [ "ThisDay: House: Passport Contract Termination 'll Cost FG N22bn (7 June 2023)", "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2023/06/07/house-passport-contract-termination-ll-cost-fg-n22bn/" ], [ "Order Paper: Immigration under fire as NASS queries passport revenue allocation (26 November 2024)", "https://orderpaper.ng/?p=25772" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/nigeria-epassport-iris-smart-technologies/" }, { "slug": "nigeria-e-visa-landing-exit-card", "country": "Nigeria", "title": "e-Visa Application System and Automated Landing and Exit Card", "systems": [ "e-visa", "biometric border control" ], "buyer": "Federal Ministry of Interior and Nigeria Immigration Service", "vendor": "Not published", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published", "duration": "Not published", "status": "in operation", "value": "Not published", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "Visa fees not stated in the sources reviewed. Overstay fine of USD 15 per day from 1 September 2025, as reported", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [], "summary": "Nigeria's Ministry of Interior and Immigration Service launched an online e-Visa system and an automated landing and exit card, both taking effect on 1 May 2025, according to a service statement reported by the News Agency of Nigeria and BusinessDay [1] [2]. Applicants can apply online for 13 short-visit visa types, with approvals expected within 48 hours and QR-coded visas sent by email [2]. Visa on arrival ended on 1 May 2025 [2]. The 2025 Visa Policy sets a USD 15 daily overstay fine from 1 September 2025 [2]. No vendor, contract value or audit was found.", "sources": [ [ "News Agency of Nigeria: Nigeria introduces e-Visa, digital entry system (2 May 2025)", "https://nannews.ng/nigeria-introduces-e-visa-digital-entry-system/" ], [ "BusinessDay: Nigeria rolls out e-visa system, phases out visa on arrival (3 May 2025)", "https://businessday.ng/news/article/nigeria-rolls-out-e-visa-system-phases-out-visa-on-arrival/" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/nigeria-e-visa-landing-exit-card/" }, { "slug": "pakistan-airport-biometrics-securiport-proposal", "country": "Pakistan", "title": "Airport biometrics and passenger data proposal", "systems": [ "API/PNR", "eGates", "biometric border control", "passenger screening" ], "buyer": "Not confirmed (API and PNR platforms would be run by the Federal Investigation Agency under the offer)", "vendor": "Securiport", "vendorCountry": "United States", "signed": "Not signed", "duration": "25 years, as proposed", "status": "proposed", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "USD 2.4 billion investment over 25 years, as proposed (reported 30 April 2026)", "funding": "passenger fee", "feeModel": "Securiport would recover its costs through a government-mandated passenger security surcharge, as reported. Amount Not published.", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Pakistan would keep ownership of all biometric and travel data, as reported.", "procurement": "unsolicited proposal", "oversight": [ "2026: The Senate Standing Committee on Defence raised concerns about whether a separate Pakistan Airports Authority e-gate procurement complied with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules, as reported by Biometric Update [1].", "30 April 2026: The US chargé d'affaires in Pakistan, Natalie A. Baker, had written a letter of support urging Pakistani authorities to consider the offer. No Pakistani decision was reported [1]." ], "summary": "Securiport has offered Pakistan a USD 2.4 billion, 25-year package of e-gates, identity checks, threat detection and API and PNR systems across its airports, as reported by Biometric Update on 30 April 2026 [1]. The company would cover upfront costs and recover them through a passenger security surcharge set by the government [1]. Pakistan would keep ownership of the data [1]. The US embassy wrote in support of the offer. A separate Pakistan Airports Authority e-gate project has drawn Senate questions on procurement rules [1]. No decision had been reported.", "sources": [ [ "Biometric Update: US-backed $2.4B airport biometrics proposal faces scrutiny in Pakistan (30 April 2026)", "https://www.biometricupdate.com/202604/us-backed-2-4b-airport-biometrics-proposal-faces-scrutiny-in-pakistan" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/pakistan-airport-biometrics-securiport-proposal/" }, { "slug": "philippines-caiss-securiport-proposal", "country": "Philippines", "title": "Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services (CAISS) public-private partnership proposal", "systems": [ "API/PNR", "biometric border control", "eGates", "passenger screening" ], "buyer": "Bureau of Immigration (proposal under interagency review)", "vendor": "Securiport", "vendorCountry": "United States", "signed": "Not signed. The Bureau of Immigration said in June 2026 that no contract had been signed.", "duration": "20 years, as proposed", "status": "under review", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "PHP 10.74 billion, as reported by Biometric Update. Reported as USD 175.81 million (23 June 2026) and about USD 171.5 million (5 October 2026).", "funding": "passenger fee", "feeModel": "User-pays model in which travellers who use the service bear the cost, as reported. Fee amount Not published. The Bureau of Immigration said public feedback on user fees would be considered.", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not confirmed. Proposed through the Public-Private Partnership Center. Biometric Update reported it passed a Swiss challenge with no rival proposals.", "oversight": [ "23 June 2026: Biometric Update reported the proposal had been reviewed by the Department of Finance, the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General. Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the proposal was still under evaluation and no contract had been signed [1].", "5 October 2026: The project remained under review. The government had not endorsed Securiport's claim that CAISS complements existing systems, as reported by Biometric Update [2]." ], "summary": "Securiport has proposed a PHP 10.74 billion public-private partnership to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration covering 11 international airports, Zamboanga seaport and six border crossing stations [1][2]. The 20-year plan would be paid for by travellers under a user-pays model, with a technology refresh every four years at no added government cost, as reported [1][2]. It would combine API and PNR data with face, fingerprint and iris matching and e-gates [2]. As of October 2026 it remained under interagency review and no contract had been signed [1][2]. Securiport CTO Nate Carpenter said the project is not a duplication of existing systems [2].", "sources": [ [ "Biometric Update: Philippines immigration proposes biometric leap as Caiss project advances (23 June 2026)", "https://www.biometricupdate.com/202606/philippines-immigration-proposes-biometric-leap-as-caiss-project-advances" ], [ "Biometric Update: Philippines' $171M CAISS border project pitched as biometric upgrade, not duplication (5 October 2026)", "https://www.biometricupdate.com/202610/philippines-171m-caiss-border-project-pitched-as-biometric-upgrade-not-duplication" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/philippines-caiss-securiport-proposal/" }, { "slug": "saudi-arabia-airport-e-gates-sdaia", "country": "Saudi Arabia", "title": "Airport e-gates programme", "systems": [ "eGates", "biometric border control" ], "buyer": "Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), with the General Directorate of Passports and Matarat Holding", "vendor": "Not published", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published", "duration": "Not published", "status": "in operation", "value": "Not published", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Gates are integrated with visa, biometric and airline operations systems (SDAIA, as reported 11 March 2025). Storage terms not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [], "summary": "Arab News reported on 11 March 2025, citing the Saudi Press Agency, that SDAIA had installed 152 automated e-gates with the General Directorate of Passports and Matarat Holding at airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah [1]. SDAIA said the gates link to visa, biometric and airline systems. Gulf News reported on 1 March 2025 that 70 e-gates with facial recognition opened at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, each able to handle 2,500 passengers a day, after earlier roll-outs at Riyadh and Neom Bay [2]. No contract, vendor, cost or audit was found in the sources reviewed.", "sources": [ [ "Arab News: Saudi tech authority helps drive national digital transformation with e-gates at Kingdom's airports (11 March 2025)", "https://www.arabnews.com/node/2593237" ], [ "Gulf News: Saudi Arabia, 70 E-gates launched at Jeddah airport to speed up travel for 175,000 passengers daily (1 March 2025)", "https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-arabia-70-e-gates-launched-at-jeddah-airport-to-speed-up-travel-for-175000-passengers-daily-1.500049956" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/saudi-arabia-airport-e-gates-sdaia/" }, { "slug": "senegal-biometric-visa-snedai", "country": "Senegal", "title": "Biometric entry visa production concession", "systems": [ "e-visa", "biometric border control" ], "buyer": "Government of Senegal", "vendor": "SNEDAI", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Sources conflict. OSIRIS reported a concession signed on 4 February 2013. The government said in May 2016 that the partnership contract was signed on 25 March 2014, after ARMP authorisation on 8 January 2014.", "duration": "Five years, renewable, as reported in March 2013", "status": "terminated", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "SNEDAI prefinanced 9,878,056,572 FCFA, per the government (27 May 2016). The state paid SNEDAI 13,000,000,000 FCFA on termination.", "funding": "passenger fee", "feeModel": "EUR 50 per biometric visa, paid by the traveller, as reported by Au-Senegal. The state's share of visa revenue was earmarked to repay SNEDAI for police vehicles, equipment and public buildings it prefinanced, under Article 29 of the 2014 amended finance law, per the government.", "ownership": "Build, operate and transfer. On termination the IT equipment passed to the state in full ownership at a residual value of 829,073 FCFA, against an initial cost of 1,316,309,316 FCFA, per the government.", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published. The ARMP authorised the contract by decision no. 010/14/ARMP/CRD of 8 January 2014.", "oversight": [ "8 January 2014: The public procurement regulator ARMP authorised the contract [3].", "2014: The National Assembly approved the earmarking of visa revenue in Article 29 of the amended finance law [3].", "3 April 2015: The President announced that the visa would be abolished from 1 May 2015 [2][3].", "27 May 2016: The government said the state paid SNEDAI 13 billion FCFA after ending the contract. The same statement gives SNEDAI's claimed balance as 708,514,802 FCFA and does not explain the difference between the two figures [3]." ], "summary": "Senegal gave SNEDAI a concession to produce biometric entry visas, with the company saying in 2013 that the state would spend nothing [1]. The government later said the partnership contract was signed on 25 March 2014 after ARMP approval, and that visa revenue was earmarked to repay SNEDAI for police vehicles and buildings it prefinanced [3]. The visa cost EUR 50 [2]. The President abolished it from 1 May 2015 [2]. In May 2016 the government said it paid SNEDAI 13 billion FCFA on termination and took over the IT equipment [3]. Sources give different signing dates [1][3].", "sources": [ [ "OSIRIS: La production du visa biométrique d'entrée au Sénégal confiée à la SNEDAI (27 March 2013)", "https://www.osiris.sn/la-production-du-visa-biometrique-d-entree-au-senegal-confiee-a-la-snedai.html" ], [ "Au-Senegal: Le visa pour le Sénégal sera supprimé à partir du 1er mai 2015 (4 April 2015)", "https://au-senegal.com/le-visa-pour-le-senegal-sera-supprime-a-partir-du-1er-mai-2015,10941.html" ], [ "OSIRIS (Government of Senegal statement): Gouvernement du Sénégal, pourquoi (27 May 2016)", "https://osiris.sn/Gouvernement-du-Senegal-Pourquoi.html" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/senegal-biometric-visa-snedai/" }, { "slug": "senegal-integrated-immigration-control-securiport", "country": "Senegal", "title": "Integrated immigration control system at international airports", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "passenger screening", "eGates" ], "buyer": "Government of Senegal", "vendor": "Securiport LLC (local company Securiport Sénégal SUARL)", "vendorCountry": "United States", "signed": "11 January 2011, build-operate-transfer contract, as reported by Connectionivoirienne. Renewed under President Macky Sall, as reported by Seneweb.", "duration": "Contract reported to expire on 11 January 2026", "status": "under review", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Not published", "funding": "passenger fee", "feeModel": "Decree no. 2011-652 of 26 May 2011 created a security fee of USD 12 per passenger on commercial flights to and from Senegal, included in the ticket price, to fund the integrated immigration control system. Airlines collect it and remit it to Securiport. Collection started on 4 July 2011, according to a Securiport letter quoted by Dakar Actu. The Inspection générale des finances found USD 3 of each USD 12 went to Ultrascan as a patent royalty, as reported. RESTIC said the government later amended the fee decree so revenue goes to the public treasury (date not given).", "ownership": "Build-operate-transfer. Transfer date Not published.", "dataTerms": "Not published. In 2012 RESTIC said it had asked the personal data commission CDP to have Securiport explain how it secures passenger data.", "procurement": "Not published. RESTIC, an ICT business group, said in November 2012 that the contract was awarded without a tender.", "oversight": [ "29 November 2012: RESTIC said it would file a complaint on 4 December 2012 asking for an audit of the award procedure, alleging breaches of the procurement code. The article names both the ARMP and the ARTP as the recipient [2].", "7 August 2015: Libération, as reported by Connectionivoirienne, said an Inspection générale des finances audit sought a total of 143.6 billion FCFA from Securiport over foreign exchange, insurance and import verification breaches, including a 10.4 billion FCFA fine. The IGF suggested court action if no settlement was reached [3].", "24 October 2025: Libération, as reported by Seneweb, said a protocol between Securiport and the Ministry of Finance signed under the former government was never made public. It said Securiport, Huawei and ISC were competing for the contract ahead of its 11 January 2026 expiry [4]." ], "summary": "Senegal signed a build-operate-transfer contract with Securiport on 11 January 2011 for an integrated immigration control system [3]. A decree of 26 May 2011 set a USD 12 security fee per air passenger, collected by airlines for Securiport [1]. An ICT industry group said in 2012 that the deal was not tendered [2]. In 2015 Libération reported that the state audit body IGF sought 143.6 billion FCFA from the company [3]. The contract was renewed under Macky Sall and was due to expire on 11 January 2026, with three firms reported in the running [4]. The outcome was not confirmed.", "sources": [ [ "Dakar Actu: Le décret signé en catimini, la redevance et la destination des milliards (16 September 2011)", "https://www.dakaractu.com/Le-decret-signe-en-catimini-la-redevance-et-la-destination-des-milliards-Par-Cheikh-Yerim-Seck_a3072.html" ], [ "OSIRIS: Le RESTIC introduira mardi 4 décembre 2012 une saisine auprès de l'ARMP (29 November 2012)", "https://osiris.sn/le-restic-introduira-mardi-4-decembre-2012-une-saisine-aupres-de-l-armp-pour.html" ], [ "Connectionivoirienne: Le Sénégal accuse Sécuriport de fraude fiscale sur 143 milliards F CFA (7 August 2015)", "https://connectionivoirienne.net/2015/08/07/cote-divoire-immigration-le-senegal-accuse-securiport-de-fraude-fiscale-sur-143-milliards-f-cfa/" ], [ "Seneweb: Sécurisation des frontières, la bataille secrète pour un contrat stratégique (24 October 2025)", "https://www.seneweb.com/fr/news/S%C3%A9curit%C3%A9/border-security-the-secret-battle-for-a-strategic-contract_n_472080.html" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/senegal-integrated-immigration-control-securiport/" }, { "slug": "sierra-leone-airport-security-securiport", "country": "Sierra Leone", "title": "Airport security fee and border security services at Freetown International Airport", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "passenger screening", "eGates" ], "buyer": "Government of Sierra Leone (Ministry of Internal Affairs)", "vendor": "Securiport (SL) Limited", "vendorCountry": "United States (parent company)", "signed": "Not published", "duration": "Not published", "status": "suspended", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Not published", "funding": "passenger fee", "feeModel": "Before 1 September 2022 the government paid Securiport USD 40 per arriving and departing air passenger under the contract. From 1 September 2022, after what the government called a renegotiated contract fee, passengers paid USD 25 directly to Securiport through its web platform, on top of airport tax and the ticket price, as reported by the Sierra Leone Telegraph. Collection of the USD 25 fee was suspended from 6 July 2026.", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published. During the suspension Securiport was to keep logging inbound and outbound passenger data, except for diplomatic passport holders, as reported by Voyages Afriq.", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "1 September 2022: The government shifted the cost from the state budget to passengers at USD 25 each, citing the global economic crisis, as reported by the Sierra Leone Telegraph [1].", "20 June 2026: The Audit Committee of the Sierra Leone Immigration Department inspected enrolment cameras, scanners, monitors and electronic gate booths provided by Securiport at Freetown International Airport [5].", "6 July 2026: The Ministry of Internal Affairs suspended the USD 25 airport security fee until further notice, pending a review of the contract and an independent special audit by Audit Service Sierra Leone [2][3].", "July 2026: Reports differ on the scope of the suspension. Voyages Afriq reported the contract stays in force and Securiport keeps running its background operations [2]. Premier Media reported the ministry notice suspended both the fee and Securiport's operations at the airport [4].", "3 July 2026: Hawa Koroma, executive director of the Civil Society Consortium on Internal Security, asked the government to reverse the suspension, as reported by Premier Media [4]." ], "summary": "Securiport (SL) Limited provides border security and passenger data services at Freetown International Airport [2][5]. Until September 2022 the government paid the company USD 40 per passenger. It then moved to a USD 25 fee paid by passengers directly to Securiport [1]. On 6 July 2026 the Ministry of Internal Affairs suspended the fee pending a contract review and a special audit by Audit Service Sierra Leone [2][3]. Reports differ on whether Securiport's airport operations were halted too [2][4]. The audit findings were not published as of 19 October 2026.", "sources": [ [ "Sierra Leone Telegraph: report on the airport security fee change (1 September 2022)", "https://thesierraleonetelegraph.com/?p=39180" ], [ "Voyages Afriq: Sierra Leone Suspends US$25 Airport Security Fee at Freetown International Airport (6 July 2026)", "https://voyagesafriq.com/2026/07/06/sierra-leone-suspends-us25-airport-security-fee-at-freetown-international-airport/" ], [ "ATTA: Sierra Leone suspends $25 airport security fee pending contract review and audit (6 July 2026)", "https://atta.travel/resource/sierra-leone-suspends-25-airport-security-fee-pending-contract-review-and-audit.html" ], [ "Premier Media: Civil Society Consortium Raises Concern Over Suspension of Securiport (9 July 2026)", "https://www.premiermedia-sl.com/?p=29494" ], [ "Sierra Leone Immigration Department: Audit Committee of the Sierra Leone Immigration Department Inspects Freetown International Airport (20 June 2026)", "https://slid.gov.sl/?p=220314" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/sierra-leone-airport-security-securiport/" }, { "slug": "singapore-new-clearance-concept-ica", "country": "Singapore", "title": "New Clearance Concept and passport-less clearance", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "eGates", "API/PNR" ], "buyer": "Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)", "vendor": "Not published", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published (concept announced 2019)", "duration": "Not published", "status": "in operation", "value": "Not published", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Token-less clearance relies on facial and iris biometrics and on advance manifests submitted by airline and ship operators (ICA, 31 July 2024). Storage terms not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "24 October 2024: ICA reported passport-less clearance fully in place at all four Changi terminals since 30 September 2024, with close to 1.5 million users by 15 October 2024 and average clearance time cut from 25 to 10 seconds [3]" ], "summary": "ICA announced its New Clearance Concept in 2019 to move border checks from staffed counters to automated lanes for people, vehicles and cargo [1]. From May 2024 all foreign visitors could use automated lanes at Changi on arrival without prior enrolment [1]. Singapore residents, and all travellers on departure, clear immigration with face and iris biometrics and no passport, using advance airline manifests, and land checkpoints use QR codes [2]. ICA said full roll-out at Changi was complete on 30 September 2024 and average clearance time fell from 25 to 10 seconds [3]. No contract, vendor or cost was published in these releases.", "sources": [ [ "Immigration & Checkpoints Authority: Redefining Border Clearance and Service Delivery (17 May 2024)", "https://www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publications/newsroom/media-release/redefining-border-clearance-and-service-delivery" ], [ "Immigration & Checkpoints Authority: Passport-Less Immigration Clearance to be Rolled Out Progressively at Changi Airport from August 2024 (31 July 2024)", "https://www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publications/newsroom/media-release/passport-less-immigration-clearance-to-be-rolled-out-progressively-at-changi-airport-from-august-2024" ], [ "Immigration & Checkpoints Authority: Passport-less Clearance Fully Rolled-Out at Changi Airport (24 October 2024)", "https://ica.gov.sg/news-and-publications/newsroom/media-release/passport-less-clearance-fully-rolled-out-at-changi-airport" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/singapore-new-clearance-concept-ica/" }, { "slug": "gambia-aviation-immigration-security-securiport", "country": "The Gambia", "title": "Civil aviation and immigration security services at Banjul International Airport", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "passenger screening", "e-visa" ], "buyer": "Government of The Gambia (Office of the President approved the contract, Gambia Civil Aviation Authority holds the fee account with Securiport)", "vendor": "Securiport", "vendorCountry": "United States", "signed": "2019, as reported by Gambiana citing Malagen. Not published in an official source opened.", "duration": "Not published. The National Audit Office said a five-year extension exposed the government to high termination costs.", "status": "under review", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Not published", "funding": "passenger fee", "feeModel": "USD 20 per arriving and departing international passenger at Banjul International Airport, collected from September 2020. The National Audit Office, as reported by The Point, cited a contract clause sending 75% (USD 15) to Securiport and 25% (USD 5) to the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority through a joint bank account. Gambiana, citing Malagen, reported USD 10 to Securiport and USD 5 each to the government and the aviation authority. Dubawa reported Malagen said the fee had risen to USD 25. The sources conflict on the split.", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "President Adama Barrow said in March 2023 that Securiport collects the data and the Gambia Immigration Department keeps all of it, as reported by The Point.", "procurement": "Not published. The National Audit Office said the Office of the President handled the contract without key stakeholders.", "oversight": [ "February 2023: The Point reported a National Audit Office audit of the contract award, covering transactions from 1 September 2019 to 31 May 2021. It found clauses favouring Securiport, found no detailed technical and financial proposal from the company, and said sole handling by the Office of the President raised suspicion of impropriety and corruption [1][6].", "February 2023: The audit found the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority received no share of fee collections from September 2020 to April 2021, with its first payment of D16,452,987.3 on 20 May 2021. It called this a deliberate breach and recommended that Securiport compensate the government [2].", "February 2023: The audit recommended recovery of over D164 million paid to Securiport as arrears for 1 October 2019 to 31 August 2020, and a full review of the project through the Directorate of PPP [3][6].", "17 September 2022: Gambiana, citing Malagen, reported that the Ministry of Finance paid D218 million in instalments from February 2021 to June 2022 against USD 4.5 million in arrears billed by Securiport, with D55 million due in December 2022. These figures add up to D273 million, not the D247 million total given in the same report [5].", "21 March 2023: President Adama Barrow defended the contract as a government decision and said talks were under way to add the fee to air tickets, as reported by The Point [4].", "September 2024: Interior Minister Abdoulie Sanyang told the National Assembly that the airport security fee was the subject of an ongoing bid, with ten companies buying bid documents, and that the government wanted the winner to design, build and hand over the system, as reported by AllAfrica. The outcome of that bid was not confirmed in sources opened [7]." ], "summary": "Securiport runs aviation and immigration security at Banjul International Airport, paid from a USD 20 fee on international passengers collected since September 2020 [2][5]. A National Audit Office audit, reported in February 2023, found contract clauses favouring the company, a seven-month gap before the aviation authority got its 25% share, and over D164 million in arrears payments it said should be recovered [1][2][3]. President Adama Barrow defended the deal and said the immigration department keeps the data [4]. Reports differ on the revenue split [2][5][6]. In September 2024 the interior minister said the fee contract was out to bid [7].", "sources": [ [ "The Point: Securiport demands payment of D164M from gov't, NAO reveals (6 February 2023)", "https://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/headlines/securiport-demands-payment-of-d164m-from-govt-nao-reveals" ], [ "The Point: Gov't loses 7-month share to Securiport (9 February 2023)", "https://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/headlines/govt-loses-7-month-share-to-securiport" ], [ "The Point: NAO demands review of Securiport project by gov't (10 February 2023)", "https://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/headlines/nao-demands-review-of-securiport-project-by-govt" ], [ "The Point: Barrow justifies Securiport contract (21 March 2023)", "https://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/headlines/barrow-justifies-securiport-contract" ], [ "Gambiana: Gambia losing millions due to airport security levy contract with US firm, investigation finds (17 September 2022)", "https://gambiana.com/gambia-losing-millions-due-to-airport-security-levy-contract-with-us-firm-investigation-finds/" ], [ "Dubawa: Assessing Securiport contract breach and its subsequent chaos (date not shown)", "https://dubawa.org/assessing-securiport-contract-breach-and-its-subsequent-chaos/" ], [ "AllAfrica: Gambia: Interior Minister Gives Update On State of Nation ID Card Production (26 September 2024)", "https://allafrica.com/stories/202409260437.html" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/gambia-aviation-immigration-security-securiport/" }, { "slug": "gambia-national-id-margins", "country": "The Gambia", "title": "National ID system and integrated digital ID system", "systems": [ "ID documents" ], "buyer": "Government of The Gambia (Ministry of Interior)", "vendor": "Margins ID Group", "vendorCountry": "Ghana (described as Ghanaian-owned)", "signed": "19 January 2026", "duration": "Not published", "status": "awarded", "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "value": "Not published", "funding": "concession/PPP", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Design, build, finance, co-operate and transfer, as reported. Transfer date Not published.", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Tender, type not stated. It opened on 22 July 2024, drew 11 international companies, and three were shortlisted.", "oversight": [ "September 2024: Interior Minister Abdoulie Sanyang told the National Assembly that the earlier Semlex ID card contract had ended and the government declined to extend it on unfavourable terms, as reported by AllAfrica [2].", "19 January 2026: The contract was signed with officials of the Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships present, as reported by Citi Newsroom [1]." ], "summary": "The Gambia signed a contract with Ghana's Margins ID Group on 19 January 2026 to design, build, finance, co-operate and transfer a national ID system and an integrated digital ID system, as reported by Citi Newsroom [1]. The tender opened in July 2024 and drew 11 international firms [1]. Interior Minister Abdoulie Sanyang said it was the country's third attempt at a national ID system [1]. In 2024 he told the National Assembly the previous Semlex ID contract had ended and was not extended [2]. Fees, value and contract length were not published.", "sources": [ [ "Citi Newsroom: Margins takes Ghana's ID success to The Gambia (21 January 2026)", "https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/01/margins-takes-ghanas-id-success-to-the-gambia/" ], [ "AllAfrica: Gambia: Interior Minister Gives Update On State of Nation ID Card Production (26 September 2024)", "https://allafrica.com/stories/202409260437.html" ] ], "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/gambia-national-id-margins/" }, { "slug": "uae-dubai-smart-gates-gdrfa", "country": "United Arab Emirates", "title": "Dubai airports smart gates and biometric passport control", "systems": [ "eGates", "biometric border control" ], "buyer": "General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai)", "vendor": "Not published", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published", "duration": "Not published", "status": "in operation", "value": "Not published", "funding": "Not published", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Biometric information of travellers registered with GDRFA since 2019 is stored on the GDRFA system for future travel, as reported by Gulf News on 9 February 2023", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [], "summary": "GDRFA-Dubai runs smart gates and a face recognition passport control system at Dubai airports. Its Director-General told a May 2022 industry forum that more than 100 million travellers used the 122 smart gates between 2019 and March 2022, as reported by Gulf News [1]. In February 2023 an assistant director-general told Gulf News that registered residents and visitors could clear passport control without showing a passport, that biometric data registered since 2019 is stored on the GDRFA system, and that more than 12 million passengers used smart gates in 2022 [2]. No contract, vendor or audit was found.", "sources": [ [ "Gulf News: More than 100m passengers used 122 smart gates at Dubai Airports, top GDRFA official says (18 May 2022)", "https://gulfnews.com/amp/gulfnews/uae/watch-more-than-100m-passengers-used-122-smart-gates-at-dubai-airports-top-gdrfa-official-says-1.87950708" ], [ "Gulf News: Dubai International Airports passengers will no longer need a passport or boarding pass to travel (9 February 2023)", "https://gulfnews.com/uae/dubai-international-airports-passengers-will-no-longer-need-a-passport-or-boarding-pass-to-travel-1.93692447" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/uae-dubai-smart-gates-gdrfa/" }, { "slug": "uk-digital-services-at-the-border", "country": "United Kingdom", "title": "Digital Services at the Border (DSAB) programme", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "watch lists", "API/PNR" ], "buyer": "Home Office", "vendor": "Home Office in-house delivery approach adopted in 2014 (suppliers not named in the sources reviewed)", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "2014 (programme start)", "duration": "2014 to March 2022 under the 2019 reset plan", "status": "in operation", "value": "GBP 311 million total expected cost of building systems, 2014-15 to 2021-22 (NAO, 9 December 2020)", "funding": "state budget", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Home Office", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "3 December 2015: The NAO reported the Home Office accepted an options review in early 2014 proposing in-house development of new systems [2]", "9 December 2020: The NAO concluded the programme did not achieve value for money between 2014 and 2019, with only the Border Crossing system live by March 2019, and put the extra cost of missing the original timetable at GBP 173 million [1] [3]" ], "summary": "DSAB began in 2014 as the Home Office's next attempt to replace the Warnings Index and Semaphore border systems after the e-Borders contract ended [1]. The Home Office chose an in-house approach in early 2014 [2]. The NAO reported on 9 December 2020 that only one of three planned systems, Border Crossing, was live by the March 2019 target. A July 2019 reset pushed delivery to March 2022 [1]. The NAO put total expected build cost at GBP 311 million and the cost of the delay at GBP 173 million [3]. Status after the NAO's 2020 report was not confirmed in the sources reviewed.", "sources": [ [ "National Audit Office: Digital Services at the Border (9 December 2020)", "https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/digital-services-at-the-border/" ], [ "National Audit Office: E-borders and successor programmes, HC 608, summary (3 December 2015)", "https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/E-borders-and-successor-programme-Summary.pdf" ], [ "National Audit Office: Digital Services at the Border, HC 1069, summary (9 December 2020)", "https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Digital-Services-at-the-Border-Summary.pdf" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/uk-digital-services-at-the-border/" }, { "slug": "uk-e-borders-raytheon", "country": "United Kingdom", "title": "e-Borders programme", "systems": [ "API/PNR", "watch lists" ], "buyer": "Home Office (UK Border Agency)", "vendor": "Raytheon Systems Limited", "vendorCountry": "United Kingdom (UK subsidiary of a US-based company, per NAO)", "signed": "November 2007", "duration": "Not published", "status": "terminated", "value": "Original contract value not confirmed. Arbitration award August 2014: GBP 186 million plus interest, about GBP 224 million. Settlement March 2015: GBP 150 million (Home Office, 27 March 2015)", "funding": "state budget", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "Assets were transferred to the Home Office, including capabilities to collect advance passenger information for checks against watch lists (Home Office, 27 March 2015)", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "August 2014: The arbitration tribunal found the contract was wrongfully terminated and awarded Raytheon Systems Limited GBP 186 million plus interest [1]", "February 2015: The High Court, on a Home Office challenge under Section 68 of the Arbitration Act, ordered the award set aside and granted both parties permission to appeal [1]", "27 March 2015: The Home Office agreed a full and final GBP 150 million settlement with no admission of liability [1] [2]", "3 December 2015: The National Audit Office reported at least GBP 830 million spent on e-borders and successor programmes from April 2006 to March 2015 and concluded the Home Office could not be said to have achieved value for money so far [3]" ], "summary": "The Home Office signed the e-Borders contract with Raytheon Systems Limited in November 2007 to collect and analyse passenger data before arrival, and terminated it in July 2010 citing missed milestones [3]. An arbitration tribunal ruled in August 2014 that the termination was wrongful and awarded about GBP 224 million. The High Court set that award aside in February 2015 [1]. The parties settled in March 2015 for GBP 150 million, with no admission of liability by government [1]. Raytheon described the outcome as an amicable settlement (company statement) [2]. The NAO found in December 2015 that at least GBP 830 million had been spent on e-borders and its successors [3].", "sources": [ [ "Home Office: Home Secretary letter on e-Borders settlement (27 March 2015)", "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-letter-on-e-borders-settlement" ], [ "Raytheon, company statement: Raytheon Systems Limited Reaches Settlement with United Kingdom Home Office (27 March 2015)", "https://raytheon.mediaroom.com/2015-03-27-Raytheon-Systems-Limited-Reaches-Settlement-with-United-Kingdom-Home-Office" ], [ "National Audit Office: E-borders and successor programmes, HC 608, summary (3 December 2015)", "https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/E-borders-and-successor-programme-Summary.pdf" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/uk-e-borders-raytheon/" }, { "slug": "uk-electronic-travel-authorisation", "country": "United Kingdom", "title": "Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)", "systems": [ "travel authorisation" ], "buyer": "Home Office", "vendor": "Not published", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published", "duration": "Not published", "status": "in operation", "value": "Not published", "funding": "passenger fee", "feeModel": "GBP 20 per traveller, including babies and children (GOV.UK, accessed 19 October 2026). Fee rose from GBP 10 to GBP 16 after changes laid in January 2025, and from GBP 16 to GBP 20 from 8 April 2026, as reported", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "16 January 2025: Fee changes laid before Parliament to allow the ETA fee to rise from GBP 10 to GBP 16. The Home Office said the package aimed to reduce taxpayer funding of the migration and borders system, as reported by Travel Weekly [2]", "7 February 2026: The Local reported the government would raise the fee by 25 percent to GBP 20 from 8 April 2026 [3]" ], "summary": "The UK ETA is required by most visa-exempt visitors to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, and by some passengers transiting through UK border control. GOV.UK lists the fee at GBP 20 per person [1]. Travel Weekly reported that changes laid on 16 January 2025 allowed the fee to rise from GBP 10 to GBP 16, part of a package the Home Office forecast would raise an extra GBP 269 million a year [2]. The Local reported the ETA was introduced in 2023, compulsory by April 2025, and rose to GBP 20 from 8 April 2026 [3]. No vendor or system contract was found in the sources reviewed.", "sources": [ [ "GOV.UK: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (accessed 19 October 2026)", "https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta" ], [ "Travel Weekly: Home Office proposes rise in ETA fee to £16 (17 January 2025)", "https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/home-office-proposes-rise-in-eta-fee-to-16" ], [ "The Local: UK to hike price of electronic travel authorisation for foreign travellers (7 February 2026)", "https://www.thelocal.de/20260207/uk-to-hike-price-of-electronic-travel-authorisation-for-foreign-travellers" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/uk-electronic-travel-authorisation/" }, { "slug": "us-cbp-biometric-entry-exit", "country": "United States", "title": "CBP Biometric Entry-Exit (air exit facial recognition)", "systems": [ "biometric border control" ], "buyer": "U.S. Customs and Border Protection (DHS)", "vendor": "Not published. CBP works with airline and airport partners for gate-level capture (GAO)", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Not published", "duration": "Not published", "status": "in operation", "value": "Not published", "funding": "user fee (fees on certain H-1B and L-1 visa petitions)", "feeModel": "Fees collected by USCIS on certain H-1B and L-1 visa petitions, paid by the petitioners, fund the programme. CBO first estimated USD 115 million a year. Collections fell to USD 26 million in FY 2022. The report says the programme has no other dedicated revenue stream.", "ownership": "Not published", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "27 February 2017: GAO-17-170 found CBP had run four biometric exit pilots, set 2018 as the goal for initial capability at one airport, and faced planning, infrastructure and staffing problems. No new recommendations [1]", "2 September 2020: GAO-20-568 found facial recognition deployed for air exit at 27 airports as of May 2020, privacy notices not consistently complete or posted, and only one of more than 20 airline partners audited. GAO made five recommendations, which DHS accepted [2]", "GAO later closed four of the 2020 recommendations as implemented and one as not implemented, after CBP's November 2022 requirements document dropped the photo capture requirement [2]", "18 September 2023: CBP's spend plan to the House and Senate appropriations subcommittees projected funding shortfalls from FY 2023 and said that without new funding it must start decommissioning the Traveler Verification Service in FY 2025, with full shutdown in FY 2027. The report's text and table give different figures for some line items [3]." ], "summary": "CBP uses facial recognition to confirm the identity of departing air travellers, working with airlines and airports that capture photos at the gate [1] [2]. GAO reported in February 2017 that CBP aimed for initial biometric exit at one airport in 2018 [1]. By May 2020 the system ran at 27 airports. GAO found in September 2020 that it identified over 90 percent of travellers correctly but missed a 97 percent photo capture goal, and that CBP had audited only one airline partner [2]. GAO's page counts airline partners inconsistently, as more than 20 in one place and 27 in another [2]. Vendor and contract values were not found.", "sources": [ [ "U.S. Government Accountability Office: GAO-17-170, Border Security: DHS Has Made Progress in Planning for a Biometric Air Exit System and Reporting Overstays, but Challenges Remain (27 February 2017)", "https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-17-170" ], [ "U.S. Government Accountability Office: GAO-20-568, Facial Recognition: CBP and TSA are Taking Steps to Implement Programs, but CBP Should Address Privacy and System Performance Issues (2 September 2020)", "https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-20-568" ], [ "US Customs and Border Protection: Biometric Entry-Exit H-1B and L-1 Fees Spend Plan, Fiscal Year 2023 Report to Congress (18 September 2023)", "https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/2023_0918_cbp_biometric_entry_exit_h1b_L1_fees_spend_plan_fy23.pdf" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/us-cbp-biometric-entry-exit/" }, { "slug": "us-dhs-hart-biometric-system-northrop-grumman", "country": "United States", "title": "Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology (HART)", "systems": [ "biometric border control", "watch lists" ], "buyer": "DHS Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM)", "vendor": "Northrop Grumman (systems developer and integrator)", "vendorCountry": "Not confirmed", "signed": "Award announced 26 February 2018 after a protest. OBIM first selected Northrop Grumman in September 2017, as reported", "duration": "42 months (initial development contract, as reported)", "status": "under review", "value": "USD 95 million initial contract (reported 26 February 2018). GAO found the 2022 rebaseline raised estimated programme costs by USD 354 million (12 September 2023)", "funding": "state budget", "feeModel": "", "ownership": "DHS", "dataTerms": "Not published", "procurement": "Not published", "oversight": [ "12 September 2023: GAO-23-105959 found a second schedule breach and first cost breach in 2020, initial capability moved from 31 December 2020 to 30 September 2023, a USD 354 million cost increase, and only five of 12 selected OMB privacy requirements fully met. GAO made nine recommendations and DHS accepted them [1]", "April 2023: Programme officials told GAO a third rebaseline was needed, citing software defects and performance issues [1]", "Early 2023: Congress asked DHS to perform an internal audit, citing mismanagement and failure to reach initial operating capacity, as reported by ID Tech [3]" ], "summary": "HART is meant to replace IDENT, the DHS biometric database managed by OBIM [2]. Defense Daily reported on 26 February 2018 that Northrop Grumman received a 42-month, USD 95 million contract as developer and integrator after a protest [2]. GAO reported on 12 September 2023 that the programme had breached its schedule twice and its costs once, that the 2022 rebaseline added USD 354 million and 33 months, and that no completion date was planned [1]. GAO found privacy gaps and made nine recommendations [1]. ID Tech reported that Congress had sought an internal DHS audit [3]. Programme status after September 2023 was not confirmed.", "sources": [ [ "U.S. Government Accountability Office: GAO-23-105959, Biometric Identity System: DHS Needs to Address Significant Shortcomings in Program Management and Privacy (12 September 2023)", "https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105959" ], [ "Defense Daily: Northrop Grumman Receives $95 Million Award For New DHS Biometric Database (26 February 2018)", "https://defensedaily.com/northrop-grumman-receives-95-million-award-new-dhs-biometric-database" ], [ "ID Tech: US Government Accountability Office Holds HART to Account (Again) (13 September 2023)", "https://idtechwire.com/gao-holds-hart-to-account-again-990913" ] ], "statusAsOf": "19 October 2026", "url": "https://bordercontracts.org/contracts/us-dhs-hart-biometric-system-northrop-grumman/" } ] }