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Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Digital dispatch from Estonia, the eGovernance capital of the world
Daily Maverick was invited to Estonia as a guest of the minister of foreign affairs to attend the African Business Forum and 11th annual eGovernance Conference. Minister Leon Schreiber was also in attendance, but I missed his panel discussion at the forum. 'When Estonia was part of the Soviet Union the decisions were made in Moscow; now we're part of the European Union and decisions are made in Brussels. There's no change,' says my driver — it's a private trip, but he also does Bolt work — while racing to the African Business Forum that I'm already late for. It takes about 10 minutes to get from Tallinn airport to the Radisson hotel where the event is happening. 'It's 2pm' chimes the digital assistant on my Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds. There is almost no traffic on a Tuesday. I've been in transit for 24 hours since boarding Ethiopian Air flight ET 846 in Cape Town. I should have arrived on Sunday, but my passport was still at the VFS operational centre in Pretoria on Friday, on its journey which started when Godongwana ended his Budget 3.0 speech en route to Cape Town from the Swedish embassy in Nairobi. Technology should have solved this problem by now. I'm also in desperate need of a shower. A problem of scale I dialled into the media roundtable with Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna from the downstairs lobby of the VFS offices in Cape Town. He said that we 'cannot compare your big country with us' in response to questions about scaling his country's digital advancements to the South African context. It's a fair point. Estonia has 1.3 million people — roughly the population of Johannesburg's northern suburbs. The entire country runs on what they call the 'XRO solution', a system they developed nearly 20 years ago that allows different government databases to talk to each other seamlessly. So remember, when Tsahkna says '100% of public services are online' and 'everyone knows exactly what their rights are', he's talking about a population smaller than eThekwini municipality and a land area the size of Gauteng. But here's what struck me about his response: he wasn't dismissive. 'There are technological solutions available, of course… and you have (natural) resources to invest,' he said. The key, he insisted, was political leadership. 'We can (share with) you our experiences about digitalisation.' Digital dreams and African realities The Africa Business Forum is in full swing by the time I arrive. I excuse myself briefly to brush my teeth in the fancy bathroom – the only thing I couldn't do while changing in the restroom at Frankfurt Airport before boarding flight LH 880 to Tallinn. I'm led straight into a conference room buzzing with conversations about digital transformation, but the context is distinctly different to what I'd expected. This isn't Estonians lecturing Africans about efficiency — it's a more nuanced conversation about partnership and practical realities. Estonian and EU officials are refreshingly candid about their limitations. When they talk about their digital achievements — tax returns in three minutes, businesses started in 18 minutes online — they acknowledge these come with caveats. For real though, eFiling is dope, but the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (exclusively for Estonian tax residents) online platform is something else. Their entire digital infrastructure was built 'together with the private sector mainly' over 'more than 30 years', they explain, and it works for a population of 1.3 million. The geopolitical subtext is never far from the surface. Estonia is 'under heavy heavy cyberattacks', as officials put it, and they're 'very careful' about technological cooperation with certain countries — a not-so-subtle reference to Russia, their 'difficult neighbour' The digital-first approach wasn't just about efficiency; it was about survival. The Global Gateway pitch The forum's centrepiece is the European Union's Global Gateway strategy — a €150-billion investment promise for Africa by 2027. EU officials position this as a 'value-based alternative' to other global powers' approaches, though they're diplomatically vague about which alternatives they have in mind. 'We are not coming in to put the conditions there,' comes the refrain from multiple speakers. 'We have long-term partners based on values.' The pitch includes 'literally thousands of procurement actions every year', with opportunities ranging from direct private sector contracts to partnerships through organisations like the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), which spent $130-million across various African countries. Digital infrastructure is positioned as one of five key pillars of Global Gateway, with the EU (and Estonia) offering expertise in 'payments identity interoperability' and promising a 'more explicit message to our partner countries' about digital public infrastructure. Estonian companies in Africa The Estonian presence in Africa is already more substantial than I'd realised. Companies like Positum use mobile data to provide insights for governments, working with UN agencies and the World Bank. And the 'digitisation services' industry is in advanced talks to set up a pop-up to deliver e-residency cards in Mzansi — they're aware of our country's challenges with keeping card printing equipment working. Estonian businesses have implemented projects in 'Botswana, in Nigeria, in Kenya, many of them in Tanzania', according to forum speakers. The approach seems less about grand pronouncements and more about practical problem-solving — using Estonia's digital experience as a starting point rather than a template. 'Estonian expertise is really sought after,' one official notes, encouraging participation in international expert groups, 'even if it is pro bono work.' The message is clear: build relationships first, business follows. The e-residency proposition Oh, yes… Perhaps Estonia's most audacious offering is e-residency — a programme started in 2014 that makes you a digital resident without requiring physical presence. 'You don't need to become an Estonia resident,' they explained to me. You apply online, and once approved, 'all our digital infrastructure is open for you about how to start business, run the business, taxation and the services that we have online'. They claim to be the 'only country in the world that can actually be part of this environment'. For African entrepreneurs navigating complex regulatory environments, it's an intriguing proposition — remote access to Estonia's digital infrastructure, running businesses through their systems while remaining physically based elsewhere. It's become a community of more than 120,000 digital citizens, generating €15-billion (R304-billion) in combined revenue from more than 33,000 companies. When Estonia says it is selling a lifestyle to African entrepreneurs, they really mean it — but being an e-resident doesn't come with the same benefits as being a tax resident, so it will still be SARS systems for you. Looking ahead The organisers of the eGovernance Conference told me that they were aware of how previous iterations had been hijacked by the now decidedly out of vogue idea of 'put it on the blockchain' — this year was shaping to be all about 'AI' but they insisted that it would be less of a ride on the hype train. The forum has been about relationships and possibilities; whereas the conference will be about implementation and practicalities. But already, one thing is clear: the Estonian model isn't about copying and pasting solutions. It's about understanding principles and adapting them to local contexts. As Tsahkna puts it, each country needs to find its own model while drawing on available technological solutions and investing in political leadership. I bump into Minister Leon Schreiber at the eGovernance Conference reception — he says I must pull him aside for an open discussion about the eVisa he is trying to get going back at home. I said ' yes ' but was forced to pull away from his typically South African, manly affirming embrace (he is, after all, a Paul Roos old boy) because I was heading out the door to finally take that shower at my hotel room. DM
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Economic Times
Switzerland, France lead as top Schengen visa issuers for Indians; Germany closes behind
As summer travel plans begin to take shape, Indian travellers looking to visit Europe are being advised to plan ahead and choose their Schengen visa destinations wisely. According to the European Commission's 2024 State of Schengen report, Indian nationals submitted 1.1 million Schengen visa applications in 2024, making competition strong going into 2025. The report shows that Switzerland issued the highest number of Schengen visas to Indian applicants last year, with 1,91,162 visas granted. France followed with 1,65,564 visas issued. Sweden completed the top 10, approving 28,109 out of 32,939 applications. Visa appointment availability also varies widely depending on the country and city. According to VFS, Switzerland is currently offering next-day appointments in key Indian cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. This makes it one of the more accessible options for travellers looking to submit their applications another popular destination, has available appointments beginning May 26 in New Delhi and May 28 in Mumbai. Portugal is offering next-day slots in Mumbai, but appointment availability in Delhi and Bengaluru is less predictable. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Country Approval rate Total visas approved Switzerland 87.94% 191,162 out of 217,373 applications France 83.63% 165,564 out of 197,959 applications Germany 88.70% 126,812 out of 142,955 applications Spain 83.13% 80,806 out of 97,204 applications Netherlands 83.21% 75,727 out of 91,003 applications Italy 88.69% 53,539 out of 60,365 applications Austria 77.91% 33,896 out of 43,504 applications Belgium 90.56% 26,556 out of 29,322 applications Greece 68.15% 28,230 out of 41,418 applications Sweden 85.33% 28,109 out of 32,939 applications
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Switzerland, France lead as top Schengen visa issuers for Indians; Germany closes behind
As summer travel plans begin to take shape, Indian travellers looking to visit Europe are being advised to plan ahead and choose their Schengen visa destinations wisely. According to the European Commission 's 2024 State of Schengen report, Indian nationals submitted 1.1 million Schengen visa applications in 2024, making competition strong going into 2025. The report shows that Switzerland issued the highest number of Schengen visas to Indian applicants last year, with 1,91,162 visas granted. France followed with 1,65,564 visas issued. Sweden completed the top 10, approving 28,109 out of 32,939 applications. Visa appointment availability also varies widely depending on the country and city. According to VFS, Switzerland is currently offering next-day appointments in key Indian cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. This makes it one of the more accessible options for travellers looking to submit their applications quickly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tại sao ngày càng nhiều người cao tuổi chọn cấy ghép răng giá phải chăng? Cấy ghép răng | Quảng cáo tìm kiếm Tìm hiểu thêm Undo France, another popular destination, has available appointments beginning May 26 in New Delhi and May 28 in Mumbai. Portugal is offering next-day slots in Mumbai, but appointment availability in Delhi and Bengaluru is less predictable. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Country Approval rate Total visas approved Switzerland 87.94% 191,162 out of 217,373 applications France 83.63% 165,564 out of 197,959 applications Germany 88.70% 126,812 out of 142,955 applications Spain 83.13% 80,806 out of 97,204 applications Netherlands 83.21% 75,727 out of 91,003 applications Italy 88.69% 53,539 out of 60,365 applications Austria 77.91% 33,896 out of 43,504 applications Belgium 90.56% 26,556 out of 29,322 applications Greece 68.15% 28,230 out of 41,418 applications Sweden 85.33% 28,109 out of 32,939 applications
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Dubai: VFS launches ‘world's largest visa application centre'
VFS Global launched flagship Visa Application Centre in Dubai's Wafi City, which it said is the largest visa application facility in the world. At roughly 150,000 square feet, the centre is equipped to handle up to 10,000 visa applications daily – a capacity that stands as the highest for any single location, according to a statement. The facility will be supported by a team of over 400 trained professionals from more than 25 nationalities, the statement added. 'Visa facilitation is a key enabler of talent attraction, tourism development, and international partnerships — all essential levers of our strategy to position Dubai as the world's most connected and future-ready city,' said Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism in the statement. 'This milestone is more than an infrastructure achievement — it reflects the strategic direction Dubai is taking to enhance global mobility, unlock access to opportunity, and accelerate growth across our visitor and business economy,' he said, adding that 'strengthening seamless access to and from Dubai remains a priority.' VFS is a visa outsourcing and technology services specialist. It operates 3616 application centres in 158 countries, and has processed more than 311 million applications since 2001, according to its website. It is headquartered in Zurich and Dubai and majority owned through investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc, along with minority stakeholders including Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation, the wesbite states.
Economic Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Indians are submitting hundreds of pages for a Schengen Visa — and it has nothing to do with new rules
Indian travelers are facing visa application challenges due to extensive bank statements filled with numerous UPI transactions. Despite no official changes, applicants submit hundreds of pages to prove financial stability for Schengen visas. This surge in paperwork highlights the need for clearer guidelines as digital payments become increasingly common, creating an uneven experience for applicants. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A growing number of Indian travelers applying for a Schengen visa are finding themselves overwhelmed—not by new visa rules, but by their own bank statements. Despite no official changes in the Schengen visa requirements, many applicants now submit applications running into hundreds of pages. The reason: Schengen visa allows entry into 29 European countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. To apply, travelers must submit standard documents, including travel plans, insurance, and financial proof. However, for many Indians, what used to be a manageable process has turned into a paperwork marathon, especially when it comes to proving financial Dhama, founder and CEO of Options 360, recently shared a photo on social media showing a tall stack of A4 sheets—his visa application file. 'I applied for a Schengen visa through VFS,' he posted on X, referring to the intermediary agency that handles visa submissions for many European embassies. His post gained over 3 lakh views and sparked a debate among travelers.'Everyone who shows these bundles won't tell you 90-95% of these are just bank statements of last 6 months (useless activity). Thanks to UPI, everyone has a very large number of transactions,' one X user, Ayush, users joined in, sharing similar sentiments. One wrote, 'Applied and received multiple 5-year Schengens — Netherlands online application and supporting documents were of exactly 10 pages, Austria Physical Application Form and supporting documents total 25 pages. 400 is a sham!' Another commented, 'Cap. Half of that is definitely your bank statements. I've applied for a Schengen visa multiple times, tourist, visitor — everything and never have I had to submit so many documents.'Even users who agreed the paperwork has increased still found Dhama's example excessive. 'I filled out a 10-page form last year and got a 30-day tourist visa in 5 days (via French embassy). Maybe 390 pages have been added in the form in the last few months,' joked another common factor: UPI-based transactions. With widespread adoption of digital payments, applicants now average hundreds of transactions each month. Each one appears in their bank statement. Embassies ask for financial history to verify economic stability, and many travelers end up submitting every page of their six-month statement—sometimes over 200 pages—just to be is no official requirement to include all transaction pages. However, out of caution, many applicants submit entire bank statements to avoid ambiguity and possible rejection. Visa officers may or may not scrutinize every line, but for the applicant, the risk is not worth result is an uneven experience. While some applicants breeze through with slim files, others, especially those with active digital wallets and high transaction volumes, carry applications that resemble printed episode highlights the need for more clarity and standardization in the visa documentation process , especially as digital finance becomes the norm. Until then, Indian travelers might continue to carry not just their passports—but binders of their payment history—on their path to Europe.
