No consulate, no problem: Benin’s ePass brings passports to your screen 🇧🇯✈️

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The government of Benin officially launched ePass on October 21, 2025 — a fully digital platform that allows Beninese citizens living abroad to renew their passports online and receive them in less than four weeks, all without setting foot in a consulate.

A diplomatic revolution  🌍

For years, members of the Beninese diaspora have faced long delays, heavy bureaucracy, and sometimes hundreds of kilometers of travel just to renew a passport. That’s now changing. As part of its broader strategy to modernize diplomatic services, the government has introduced ePass, an entirely digital solution designed to streamline passport renewals for citizens abroad.

Accessible worldwide on both desktop and mobile, the official portal — epass.gouv.bj — lets users submit their application online, track its progress in real time, and receive their new passport within a guaranteed four-week window after approval.

Built to meet global standards ✅

ePass was designed to eliminate administrative red tape while keeping security at the core. The platform integrates biometric verification tools and a transparent tracking system, ensuring users can monitor every step of the process.

The service fully complies with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards, guaranteeing international recognition and document integrity.

The initiative aligns with Benin’s “4D Diplomacy” vision — one that is digital, dynamic, decentralized, and above all, close to its citizens, wherever they may be.

A symbolic milestone 🎯

Beyond the tech upgrade, ePass represents a major shift in how Benin connects with its citizens abroad. The platform embodies the government’s ambition to bring public services closer to its people, foster trust, and improve citizen satisfaction.

The next challenge will be ensuring equal access for all — regardless of digital literacy or location — and maintaining a reliable, secure infrastructure in the long run.

👉🏾 Do you see this digital shift as a major leap forward — or are there still trust and accessibility gaps to bridge?