Togo is conducting a training program for staff involved in the WURI-Togo digital ID project, aimed at mass biometric registration across the country. Running from October 28 to November 18, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to issue unique identification numbers to citizens, facilitating access to public services. Funded by the World Bank, the project relies on the MOSIP framework and is supported by significant partnerships.
In Togo, a comprehensive training initiative is underway for personnel tasked with overseeing and facilitating a mass biometric registration exercise, integral to the WURI-Togo digital ID project. Initiated on October 28 and scheduled to conclude on November 18, the training program spans all five administrative regions of Togo. Although a date for the actual enrollment has not yet been specified, participants were selected back in March and are being trained in collaboration with the National Institute of Statistics and Economic and Demographic Studies (INSEED) and the National Identification Agency (ANID). The WURI-Togo digital ID project aims to assign a unique identification number to every Togolese citizen, thereby simplifying access to public services. The foundation of Togo’s identification system is constructed on the Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP), with major contributions from Atos and Idemia. A previous pilot program had already tested the biometric registration platform, which was initially set to launch in the last quarter of the previous year. Togo’s President, Faure Gnassingbé, emphasized the significance of this biometric census in may 2022, stating it would enhance governmental efficiency in executing social protection policies. The country is part of a group of four nations that commenced the World Bank-funded WURI project in 2020, with an allocated budget of approximately $72 million for its execution.
The WURI (World Bank Identification for Development) project aims to help countries establish formal identification systems that enable citizens to access social services and participate in national life more efficiently. In Togo, the digital ID initiative is crucial for formalizing identity verification processes and streamlining public service access. The MOSIP framework offers a cost-effective, open-source solution to build robust foundational ID systems that can facilitate efficient biometric enrollment and management across diverse population segments. Togo’s commitment to this project underscores its alignment with global efforts to digitize and enhance public service delivery while ensuring inclusivity through formal identification.
Togo’s training of personnel for the WURI digital ID project marks a significant step towards establishing a comprehensive biometric registration system aimed at streamlining access to public services for its citizens. With support from international agencies and a solid technical framework in place, the project is poised to enhance the effectiveness of Togo’s government in social service execution, reflecting a broader commitment to digital transformation in the region.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
