Senegal to reform ECOWAS biometric identity card

The Senegalese National Assembly is convening an extraordinary session to examine bill n° 21/2026, which seeks to reform the ECOWAS biometric national identity card. The reform modifies the 2016 law that originally established the common biometric identity document for member states of the Economic Community of West African States.

The legislative change comes as the first generation of cards issued in 2016 approach their expiration dates. The primary objectives of the reform are to modernize the national identification system to match current technological advancements and to strengthen the security of associated personal data.

The new generation of biometric cards aims to provide a more reliable and secure digital identity that is easier for administrations to utilize. The system relies on biometric data collection to improve authentication and reduce inconsistencies or duplicate records in identity files.