Togo has recently granted a contract to two French companies for the development of its biometric ID system.

Public Management

Friday, 02 June 2023 17:35

Togo has recently granted a contract to two French companies for the development of its biometric ID system.

(Togo First) - Togo has reached a new step in its biometric ID system project. The country just trusted the project to Atos and IDEMIA, according to a statement issued by ANID-TOGO, the Togolese ID Agency, on June 1, 2023.

The two French firms will develop the biometric system inspired by the Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP). Concretely, they will design, build, test, and launch the national system. The system will feature iris, face, and fingerprint recognition technology.

"We are honored to be working with the Togolese government and its partners on this important project. The biometric e-ID solution will play a crucial role in Togo's digital transformation and national development. Atos is committed to providing a reliable and secure solution that meets the needs of both the government and citizens. We are proud to leverage our expertise in biometrics, cybersecurity, and digital transformation to support Togo's ambitions and contribute to a more inclusive and connected world," said Alpha Barry, CEO of Atos Africa.

The biometric ID project will provide all Togolese residents with a single ID number (SIN) which will ease their day-to-day transactions with public administration services, and facilitate the latter’s digitalization. The project is backed by the World Bank, through the WURI program.

President Faure Gnassingbé recently announced a biometric census in line with the project. "There will be a third census to offer a biometric card to every Togolese so that we can be effective in our social protection policy." The Togolese leader was speaking in an interview with New World TV, on the sidelines of his country’s 63rd independence anniversary.

"Having a unique, robust, and reliable identification system is a must in line with the government's 2020-2025 roadmap, on which the e-ID project is listed, in first place among the 42 priority projects and reforms," ANID- TOGO revealed.

Esaïe Edoh

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.