Since September 3, 2020, Togo’s National Assembly has passed a bill on the biometric identification of individuals in Togo. This decisive step taken by the hemicycle will make it possible to provide an identity and guarantee health coverage and access to basic services for all. The country is experimenting with a test phase prior to deployment of the system.

On October 10, 2023, a technical team from the Agence nationale de l’identification biométrique (ANID) visited the Adéticopé public elementary school (EPP), some thirty kilometers north of the capital, for another personal identification test.

Commandant Sileté DEVO, present at the scene, confirms that this is indeed a test. It is part of the biometric identification process following the awareness-raising session with stakeholders. In the meantime, teams are continuing to work on the technical and technological aspects, to ensure that there are no loopholes.

“We launched this test to find out how this equipment works in real-life field conditions. This operation is also coupled with awareness-raising to help people understand what it’s all about”,
Sileté DEVO, DG ANID

Even though this was a test session, ANID’s director was impressed by the turnout. Over 500 people showed up. This seems to augur well for the operation should it actually get off the ground. “It suggests that the actual operation will be well attended by our compatriots. The situation allows us to see how we can anticipate later on to avoid very long queues”, said Commandant DEVO.

For the ANID director, registering should never be an ordeal.

Biometric identification for a digital identity card

The “e-ID” biometric national identification project is a free, inclusive national identification system, without distinction of race, gender, religion or nationality. It is designed to be secure and reliable, and is part of the government’s Roadmap 2025, Axis 3, which aims to “modernize the country and strengthen its structures” by making Togo a regional reference in digital technology.

According to ANID’s top executives, this process will enable all those residing in Togo to have a unique identification number, and for those who have no identity papers, to have proof of identity so that the public authorities can know who they are.

“In our country, more than half the population has no proof of identity. And when I say proof of identity, I’m talking about the identity card, passport, nationality or birth certificate”, observed the head of ANID, adding: ‘The aim of the biometric identification project is to give everyone an identity, so that everyone can live in Togo with social, economic and financial inclusion’.

Specifically, the e-ID project will be to assign a unique identification number (NIU) based on the capture of biometric and biographical data of each person living in Togo and residing on Togolese territory. This number will be used as a reference for verifying the identity of individuals in their interactions with public administration. In a public service, there is no need to bother with endless procedures in the search for identification of individuals. It will be enough for the concerned to give their identification number so that the system outputs all personal information required.

On the other hand, having an identification number is to contribute to the strengthening of transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of governance and the delivery of public and private services, the implementation of the social register of persons and households (RSPM) and help the country to have accurate and reliable demographic data.

The project covers all sectoral services including education, finance, social security, health, pensions, vaccination and cash transfers.

In short, biometric identification will enable every citizen to have a digital identity card.

The missing role of e-IDs in the face of Covid-19

During the COVID-19 health crisis, global economies have been tested creating a still wide gap between different social classes. There was a strong need for countries to identify and provide social protection to people in the informal sector.

In Togo, the Government has implemented Novissi, a cash transfer program to support any Togolese citizen who lost their income due to the adoption of the COVID-19 response measures. Its objective was to provide the most vulnerable individuals and families with monthly financial supports throughout the state of emergency. This initiative for a solidarity income has met with an important echo throughout Africa.

The missing role of e-IDs in the face of Covid-19

During the COVID-19 health crisis, global economies were tested by creating a still wide gap between different social classes. Countries urgently need to identify and provide social protection for those working in the informal sector.

In Togo, the government has implemented Novissi, a cash transfer program to support any Togolese citizen who lost their income due to the adoption of COVID-19 response measures. Its objective was to provide the most vulnerable individuals and families with monthly financial supports throughout the duration of the state of emergency. This initiative for a solidarity income has met with an important echo throughout Africa.

Avoiding the e-ID is to bury yourself

“Avoiding the e-ID is burying oneself”, these words of the Commandant DEVO are well understood in that, he explains, not being part of the process means not wanting to be counted among the community. This means that the person will not be able to benefit from any government program or service. According to the bill adopted by the National Assembly, the NIU will be the key to interaction with the administration. So if someone decides to get out of this process, at some point the person will be isolated.” The director said before adding that the aim of the project is to allow everyone, especially those who do not have an ID, to live decently and feel a citizen so as to enjoy the benefits as a Togolese citizen.

Children or adolescents, even those who wish to continue their education or register for a learning workshop, will need an identification number. Otherwise, this child will not be able to present for the obtaining of his Certificate of Studies of the first degree (CEPD). The learner will not be able to participate in any state competition.

The unique identification number does not replace any document of identity, whether it is a birth certificate, nationality, identity card or passport. The NIU is proof of identity while other documents are identification documents, which refer to citizenship. “When you go to an administration for any department, the first question you will be asked is: what is your NIU?” , explained Commander Devo.

According to the law, all people living in Togo without distinction, people with disabilities, people in vulnerable situations, and all people who have rights, will benefit from this project.

 “Even children will be identified and for those from 0 to under 5 years old, only biographical data will be collected in accordance with the law,” he added.

According to the Commander, registration will be done on presentation of an identity document or on testimony. “Witnesses must already be registered in the system and if there are fraudulent statements, the law provides for punishing the guilty,” recalls the first ANID boss.

To obtain an identification number, the process is simple. A form will be completed to provide biographical information. Biometric data, including 10 fingerprints, a face photograph and then 2 irises will be recorded. All this information will be compiled to form the identification number for each individual.

Protection of collected data

Togo has a legal framework that protects personal data. The law of 29 October 2019 on the protection of personal data, the decree of 9 December 2020 establishing the Authority for the protection of personal data (IPDCP) and the Law of 7 December 2018 on cyber security and the fight against cybercrime in Togo, amended on 22 June 2018, are all texts that protect personal data.

To this arsenal of text is added the National Identification Agency (ANID) and its security system MOSIP designed so that there is a security included.

According to Parfait AHAYI-TETE, a project information system specialist, the MOSIP system will be used to enroll all Togolese residents.

The process, if completed, will be made mandatory. Currently, the project is in a test phase throughout the territory.