West African nations mark International Identity Day 2026

Various West African nations held activities to mark the 2026 International Identity Day, focusing on the expansion of legal and digital identification systems.

In Burkina Faso, the 7th edition of the event centered on integrating biometrics to secure academic and professional diplomas. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana also announced the opening of over 70 disciplinary files against police and gendarmerie agents to combat harassment at borders and ensure free movement within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

In Côte d'Ivoire, the Office National de l'Etat Civil et de l'Identification (ONECI) emphasized the commitment to providing every citizen with a reliable legal and digital identity to ensure access to fundamental rights such as education, health, and voting.

In Ghana, the National Identification Authority (NIA) celebrated its 20th anniversary with a public education float and mass registration exercise in Accra to increase awareness of its identification services.