How Benin is digitizing civil registration at national scale 🇧🇯📄

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In 2025, Benin’s National Identification Agency (ANIP) issued more than 10.5 million civil status and identity documents, according to official figures. Most of these documents were delivered through digital channels, highlighting the country’s accelerating shift toward online public services.

Strong uptake of online services 🌐

Data released by ANIP on January 26, 2026 shows that nearly 4 million citizens accessed identification services in 2025. Of all recorded procedures, three out of four were completed online or remotely, a sign of growing public confidence in digital tools.

This momentum is driven by a diversified service ecosystem. The eservices.anip.bj portal accounts for 37% of requests, followed by the ANIP BJ mobile app at 30%. The USSD channel, which works without an internet connection, represents 8% of procedures, while physical service counters still handle about a quarter of total requests. According to the government, this multi-channel approach ensures access for both connected and less-connected populations.

Security and trust at the core of the system 🔐

As digital adoption grows, so do investments in security. In 2025, ANIP recorded 3.8 million GSM-based authentications and carried out 25 million electronic identity verifications (eKYC). These mechanisms are designed to ensure data accuracy, prevent fraud, and secure access to both public and private services.

This focus on security is increasingly critical as digital IDs become central to accessing social services, financial platforms, and sensitive administrative procedures.

A cornerstone of Benin’s digital government strategy 🏛️💡

The digitalization of civil registration is part of a broader national strategy launched in 2018 to modernize public administration, simplify procedures, and improve transparency. Experts view digital identity as a foundational layer of this transformation, enabling interoperability across government platforms.

Tax filings, healthcare services, administrative formalities, and access to public aid now rely more heavily on centralized and interconnected databases. The goal is clear: improve state efficiency while reducing costs and delays for citizens.

Expanding inclusion and rural coverage in 2026 🌍

Looking ahead to 2026, ANIP plans to further expand its services, with a particular focus on rural and underserved areas. The objective is to ensure equitable access to civil status and identity documents nationwide.

Citizens will continue to complete key procedures online, including applications for birth certificates, residency certificates, certificates of custom or single status, personal identification certificates, and the biometric national ID card. These services underscore Benin’s ambition to position digital technology as a driver of administrative inclusion and national development.

👉🏾 Do you think digital tools truly make public services more accessible ?