The Burkina Faso government has approved a bill to establish an electronic unique identifier for all residents. This initiative, passed during the ministerial council in July, is part of a broader effort to digitize services and improve administrative efficiency.
The new system will employ biometric and biographical data to create a unique code for every individual living in Burkina Faso, including citizens abroad and foreign residents. Despite this advancement, existing identification documents will remain valid and in use.
“This unique identifier will strengthen the identification system, allow better management of population data, facilitate service delivery, and clean up sectoral identification databases,” said Minister of Digital Transition Aminata Zerbo/Sabane. Her statement underscores the anticipated impact of this system on various aspects of public administration and service delivery.
This initiative is part of the West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI) program. WURI, active in six West African countries—Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Niger, Togo, and Guinea—receives financial support from the World Bank. The program aims to achieve digital identification for at least 85% of the population by 2026.
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The implementation of the unique identifier in Burkina Faso will involve creating an electronic code linked to each resident, Burkinabè abroad, and temporary foreign residents. This system is designed to ensure the uniqueness of each individual, which is crucial for inclusive growth. Public services such as social safety nets, healthcare, education, and businesses will benefit from the ability to accurately identify and authenticate their beneficiaries and clients.
Once the National Assembly adopts the law, the unique identifier system is expected to significantly improve the management of population data. By resolving duplication issues and ensuring interoperability between different sectoral identification databases, the system will enhance administrative efficiency and service delivery.
The approval of this bill signals a critical step in the right direction in Burkina Faso’s digital transition.
- Tags: burkina faso, digital, identifier, Technology
