Mali plans to launch a national digital platform for its diaspora, allowing easier access to vital documents. Developed by Malian experts, the platform will support both Malian citizens and foreign visa applicants. This initiative is part of a broader digital transformation strategy, with infrastructure enhancements in partnership with Huawei. Additionally, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have introduced a biometric passport, reflecting their move away from ECOWAS.
Mali is set to launch a national digital platform aimed at improving access to essential documents for its diaspora. This initiative will be available through Mali’s diplomatic and consular missions worldwide, enabling Malian citizens abroad to obtain administrative, identification, and travel documents, as reported by Wearetech.africa.
Abdoulaye Diop, Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, emphasized that the platform marks a major advancement in modernizing administrative data, thereby simplifying access for compatriots living outside the country. The platform has been developed exclusively by Malian experts and is anticipated to enhance services for both Malian expatriates and foreign applicants for Malian visas.
As part of a broader strategy for digital transformation, the Malian government is working to digitize all public services in the coming years. Collaborating with Huawei, the administration is focused on expanding infrastructure with the installation of fiber optic cables and the establishment of a data center, as reported by ecofin agency in September.
Minister Diop remarked that the new digital initiative demonstrates the government’s dedication to creating “a more efficient and responsive administration.” Additionally, this platform is integrated with the Liptako Visa system, which aims to improve regional mobility within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Recently, Mali and its counterparts, Burkina Faso and Niger, introduced a common biometric passport. The three nations are currently governed by military regimes and have opted to abandon the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) passport system. According to Lt Gen Assimi Goita, the transitional leader of Mali and AES Chairman, the old passports will remain valid until their expiration.
In discussions about identity solutions, Chinese company Emptech has approached the Malian administration regarding the production of government-issued documents. However, it has been confirmed that Emptech was not involved in creating the new biometric passport for the three Sahel states. This decision to distance itself from ECOWAS carries significant consequences for a World Bank-supported regional ID project intended to enhance socio-economic integration in West Africa.
In summary, Mali’s implementation of a digital platform for the diaspora signifies a strategic shift toward modernized and accessible administrative services. The platform, developed by local experts, not only benefits Malians abroad but also foreigners seeking visas. Furthermore, the introduction of a common biometric passport among Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger illustrates the evolving regional dynamics and commitment to enhancing identification processes despite withdrawal from ECOWAS.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
