The digitization of public services is underway in several African countries. In Mali, authorities launched a digital platform in January to improve access to judicial services. In February, they are taking another step in the same direction.

Malian authorities have approved plans to establish a National Agency for the Security of Civil Status Documents, aiming to digitize these records and improve their reliability. The draft legislation was adopted during a Council of Ministers meeting last Wednesday and will be submitted to the National Assembly for approval before implementation.

The new agency will be tasked with strengthening the security of civil status documents by implementing electronic solutions for their design, production, identification, and authentication, according to an official statement. It will also support the Civil Status Data Processing Center, which currently faces challenges including poor coordination among stakeholders and weak document security.

This initiative aligns with Mali’s broader strategy to leverage digital technology for modernization and economic growth. Several projects are planned for 2025, including expanding the government’s intranet network to 15 new regions, developing and deploying specialized administrative applications, and launching a digital literacy platform.

In January, Malian authorities launched a digital platform to improve access to judicial services. The success of the new agency, however, will depend on the government’s ability to secure necessary resources and address challenges related to digital infrastructure and administrative staff training.

By Isaac K. Kassouwi,

Editing by Feriol Bewa