It won’t be long before every citizen or resident of Togo has a unique biometric identification number. This project is part of the process of modernization and reform of public administration undertaken by the Togolese government. Its aim is to develop a modern biometric system that uniquely identifies all individuals living on the national territory, with a view to providing reliable information for the targeted delivery of public and social services.
The Agence Nationale d’Identification (ANID), in charge of the national biometric identification project (e-ID Togo), has launched a nationwide pilot phase from October 4, 2023 to November 4, 2023. Called “Proof of Concept”, this pilot phase will test all the functionalities of the registration platform, as well as the business processes and the generation of biometric numbers, in order to identify any technical issues that need to be resolved and any measures that need to be taken.
Pilot phase launched
Over a 30-day period, at least 2,000 people will be registered, according to a quota and timetable defined by region: Grand Lomé/October 4-12: 900 people; Maritime/October 17-26: 650 people; Plateaux/October 30-31: 200 people; Centrale/November 3-4: 200 people. The operation will collect biometric information such as fingerprints and iris; demographic information such as age, gender, first and last names, address, contact details and email address. Registrants will receive a message with their identification number, a registration receipt and a card with a QR code.
This system, inspired by the Aadhaar identification model in India, will give every Togolese resident a unique proof of identity, whatever their origin or place of residence.
Why a biometric identification project in Togo?
The aim of the “e-ID Togo” biometric national identification project is to allocate a unique identification number (NIU) to every individual of Togolese nationality or resident in Togo, based on demographic and biometric data.
This data, together with the NIU, will enable the creation of a central, secure and reliable database that will serve as a reference for verifying the identity of beneficiaries of public, private or social services. The operationalization of the “e-ID Togo” project is in line with the commitments made by Head of State Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé during the presidential campaign, and is a strong signal of his determination and commitment to pursue the policy of socio-economic and financial inclusion for the development of Togo.
Biometrics is the science of analyzing an individual’s physical or behavioral characteristics, enabling the authentication of his or her identity.