TOGO: Launch of the experimental phase of biometrics identification next month

In the face of document fraud and identity theft, the threats posed by terrorism and cybercrime, and the logical evolution of international regulations, new technological solutions are gradually being implemented. Among these technologies, biometrics has rapidly emerged as the most relevant for identifying and authenticating people quickly and reliably, based on unique biological characteristics.Togo does not want to be on the margins of such a technology, starts biometric registration operations as part of the project of unique identification number, which is expected in the last quarter of this year.

This was announced by the National Identification Agency (ANID) at a meeting with the media. ANID is piloting the WURI (West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion) project in Togo, an initiative supported by the World Bank.

The campaign is expected to last seven months, with one month for each region and two months for Greater Lomé, the country’s most populous region.

But as a prelude to this stage, a pilot registration campaign will be organised in certain localities to test the identification platform, communicate, raise awareness and mobilise the country’s different social strata.

At the end of this campaign, the aim is for 95% of the population to be registered with biometric markers (surname & forenames, photo, fingerprints, iris prints).

Biometric registration offers a wide range of techniques and can be used in a wide variety of fields, from government security to personal comfort. Biometric techniques are mainly used in judicial identification, identity management, administration and access control, whether in private or public establishments.

We look forward to a successful awareness-raising campaign to ensure that the majority of Togolese understand the merits of this innovation.

CATARIA