Togo / Towards a digital identity for all: Biometric census arrives in the Gulf prefecture

Monday, May 12 will mark a new milestone in the development of digital identity in Togo. Following the launch of operations in the Savanes region, authorities are now beginning biometric registration of the population in the Golfe prefecture. This phase, officially announced by INSEED on May 8, is part of a broad national identification project.

Conducted in collaboration with the National Identification Agency (ANID), this campaign is a key component of the e-ID Togo program—an initiative supported by the World Bank through the regional WURI project (West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion). Its objective is clear yet ambitious: to create a modern, reliable national registry that provides each resident with a unique, secure, and universal identifier.

Behind this operation lies a fundamental goal: to ensure that every individual living on Togolese territory—regardless of origin, age, or social status—can more easily access basic services. Healthcare, education, social aid, administrative procedures: a recognized identity becomes the gateway to inclusion.

The biometric registration is not merely a data collection exercise. It is a step toward a more equitable society, where no one remains invisible. For the government, this represents a cornerstone of the country’s digital transformation, with the potential to improve governance, reduce fraud, and enhance transparency in public policy.