The Democratic Republic of Congo’s biometric national ID card project is under threat of cancellation due to allegations of financial misconduct.
Investigation into the $697 Million Contract
The $697 million contract, awarded to a consortium of Afritech and Idemia, is currently under scrutiny by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Inspectorate General of Finance (IDF). This investigation could lead to the contract’s cancellation. The project, which was announced nearly a year ago ahead of the national elections, has faced allegations of overbilling, prompting calls for renegotiation.
Afritech Founder Under Travel Restrictions
Samba Bathily, founder of Afritech, has been barred from leaving the country as authorities investigate his business dealings. This restriction highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the ongoing investigation into the financial irregularities surrounding the biometric ID project.
Historical Challenges with National ID Issuance
The Democratic Republic of Congo has struggled with national ID issuance for decades. Before the introduction of biometric national ID cards last year, the last identity cards were issued between 1984 and 1987. The subsequent introduction of plastic cards was incomplete, leaving a significant gap in national identification.
Initial Plans and Funding Issues
In 2020, the government announced plans to implement a new population register and biometric ID system by year-end through a private partnership or alternative financing. Initial reports suggested the World Bank would fund the project in installments, but this plan fell through, causing delays. The project was eventually put on hold.
Recent Developments in Biometric and Digital ID Contracts
In February 2023, major companies in the biometrics and digital ID sector, including France’s Idemia and Thales and Germany’s Veridos, competed for the contract to produce new-generation national ID cards. In 2022, Israeli firm Pangea secured a government contract worth over $70 million to provide an automated biometric identification system for law enforcement and background checks. This public-private partnership (PPP) agreement involved developing and operating a centralized automated criminal biometric identification system (ABIS) to generate certificates of integrity (certificates of non-criminal record) for citizens.
Other Significant Contracts
Later in 2022, German biometrics firm Dermalog won a $48 million contract to produce biometric passports for the country. These developments illustrate the DR Congo’s ongoing efforts to modernize its identification systems despite the current challenges facing the national ID card project.
The Future of the Biometric National ID Project
The outcome of the investigation by the Inspectorate General of Finance will determine the future of the biometric national ID project. If the allegations of financial irregularities are proven, the contract with Afritech and Idemia could be cancelled, leading to further delays in the implementation of a reliable national identification system in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
