Ethiopia’s high-security passport and ID card plant at Bole Lemi II Industrial Park is entering its final construction stage, with completion set for early 2026, according to TOPPAN Security Ethiopia. Developed with Ethiopian Investment Holding through Berhanena Selam Printing Press, the 12,000sqm facility is built to international secure-document standards. Once operational, the factory will produce up to 5.6 million passports and 28 million identification and financial cards a year, reaching full capacity within months of equipment installation and testing. More than 200 jobs will be created. The rollout aligns with the debut of CHROMA, TOPPAN’s new laser colour-personalisation technology introduced into passports and e-passports this month. CHROMA embeds photo-realistic portraits directly into polycarbonate layers using a single-beam laser and photosensitive dyes, making photo substitution nearly impossible and extending image clarity for up to 10 years. Officials say the upgrade will strengthen border-control accuracy and reduce identity fraud, while citizens gain tamper-proof IDs that support smoother access to banking, welfare, and government services.

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