In the current digital age, accurate population data is a strategic asset to guide government planning. It informs the most effective actions to be taken before, during, or after any situation with direct or indirect consequences on the lives of millions of individuals.

Earlier today, Togo announced an agreement with French companies Atos and IDEMIA, for the development of a national electronic identification system. The two companies will design, build, test, and deploy a biometric solution that captures and process iris, face, and fingerprint data. On the sidelines of the GITEX Africa trade fair, taking place in Marrakech from May 31 to June 2, 2023, Alpha Barry, CEO of Atos Africa, said: "The biometric e-ID solution will play a crucial role in Togo's digital transformation and national development. Atos is committed to providing a reliable and secure solution that meets the needs of both government and citizens."

The digital solution will include a citizen portal, a mobile application, cybersecurity solutions, a central biometric system, enrolment kits, and a personalization system for the new electronic identity cards. It is a turnkey, integrated end-to-end solution to be built on a scalable infrastructure to meet Togo's current and future needs.

The French companies explain that the project also entails the opening of an Atos subsidiary in Togo to ensure the transfer of knowledge and skills to local staff to guarantee the independent and efficient operation of the system over the long term.

The national electronic identification system will support the national "e-ID Togo" project, which aims to allocate a unique identification number (UIN) to every resident in Togo. Thanks to the UIN and the biometric data collected, Togo will create a centralized, secure, and reliable database that will serve as a reference for verifying the identity of beneficiaries of public, private, or social services.

The project is part of the West African Unique Identification Program for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI), with an overall budget of $500 million financed by the World Bank.

Let’s note that the agreement was announced on the sidelines of the GITEX Africa trade fair being held in Marrakech (May 31-June 2). 

Adoni Quenum, Marrakech