Here is the converted article in Markdown format: Sierra Leone Launches First Securitised Multi-Purpose ID Card and Verification System
Freetown, Sierra Leone - January 30, 2023
His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has officially launched Sierra Leone’s first securitised multi-purpose identification card and verification system, hailing it as a critical step towards development planning and policymaking.
A Critical Step Towards Development Planning
The biometric, chip-based ID card is designed to serve several imperatives for transparent, effective, inclusive, and sustainable national development. The President thanked development partners for their technical and financial support in strengthening the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) and promoting new technologies and international best practices.
Importance of Comprehensive Civil Registration
According to President Bio, a comprehensive civil registration and vital statistics data is essential for development planning and policymaking, resource mobilisation, effective governance, public service delivery, and inclusive national development. He acknowledged the NCRA’s growth over the last four years under the leadership of its Director General, board, and staff.
Benefits of Biometric ID Card
The biometric ID card will enable financial institutions to conduct electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) processes at lower costs, facilitating trusted financial transactions across Sierra Leone. This is expected to increase financial inclusion and transition the country to a more digital economy.
- Eliminate cash hoarding
- Track money laundering and financial fraud better
- Promote transparency in governance
Digital Economy Benefits
President Bio also highlighted the benefits of a digital economy, including:
- Reduced costs for financial institutions
- Increased financial inclusion
- Improved tracking of money laundering and financial fraud
- Enhanced transparency in governance
International Partnerships
The launch was attended by representatives from development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Tanzila Sankoh, Cluster Team Lead for the UNDP’s Sustainability and Local Economic Development Cluster, praised the government’s efforts to establish a legal framework for managing the securitised ID card and verification system.
Ambassador Harouna Moussa, Resident Representative of ECOWAS in Sierra Leone, noted that Sierra Leone has become the sixth member state to implement the ECOWAS member identification card, demonstrating its commitment to the vision of free movement of persons and free integration in the region.