Across Africa, new digital technologies have enabled countries to move past outdated tools and progress toward modern innovations. This digital transformation has now reached all sectors, including identification systems, which have become fully digitized.

Gabonese citizens can now obtain the new Electronic National Identity Card, President of the Transition, Brigadier General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, announced on Monday, June 24th.

The government touts the new ID card as "highly secure," featuring an electronic chip storing each citizen's digital identity and a unique 14-digit Personal Identification Number (NIP). This NIP certificate, issued upon capturing biometric data, serves as the key document for applying for the card.

This initiative fulfills the government's pledge to provide a secure and multifunctional national ID card to all Gabonese citizens. It comes after a near decade-long gap in card renewals, following the 2015 termination of a contract with a Belgian service provider.

Gabon joins a growing trend of African nations adopting biometric data collection through the national id card. According to a 2020 report by the American research firm Global Industry Analysts, the biometrics market in Africa and the Middle East is expected to experience a 21% annual growth rate, with the global industry projected to reach $82 billion by 2027.

Beyond secure identification, the electronic national identity card will empower citizens to access digitized administrative services while safeguarding their personal data. This card marks a significant milestone for Gabonese governance, with guaranteed nationwide coverage reflecting the government's commitment to modernization, efficiency, and transparency.

Samira Njoya