To simplify the lives of its citizens, the Nigerien government is implementing innovative solutions. These initiatives prioritize the modernization of public services and the promotion of digital technology access, ultimately supporting the country's economic and social progress.
Niger's autonomous pension fund, CARENI, inaugurated its new digital platform, "CARENI COLLECTE," on Monday, February 24, in Niamey, aiming to streamline pension registration and simplify access to benefits for over 35,000 Nigerien retirees. The retirees collectively receive over 3 billion CFA francs (approximately $5 million) per month.
“The CARENI COLLECTE application we are launching today is more than just digitalization—it represents a profound transformation in our management system,” said Ali Ousseini Hadiza (photo, center), Director General of CARENI. She emphasized that the platform is built around five key pillars, including a biometric card featuring a fingerprint and essential personal information, replacing the traditional booklet.
The biometric card will identify civil servants and facilitate access to medical coverage services, reducing the need for retirees to visit CARENI offices. This innovation is expected to eliminate long queues and repeated visits.
This project is part of a broader digital transformation initiative in Niger, as public institutions accelerate their shift toward e-governance. Like many countries, Niger aspires to enhance its global standing in digital administration. According to the latest United Nations e-Government Development Index, Niger ranks 187th out of 193 countries, with a score of 0.21157 out of 1. These figures highlight the urgent need for modernization in public administration.
The implementation of CARENI COLLECTE is expected to greatly improve pension access and healthcare services, ultimately enhancing retirees' quality of life. However, challenges remain, particularly in raising awareness and training users to navigate digital tools, as well as addressing connectivity issues in rural areas. Continuous support for retirees and ongoing improvements to the platform will be crucial to ensuring the initiative’s full success.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji