National identity cards in Cameroon: delays in the online application frustrate citizens 🚨

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The online appointment scheduling application for obtaining the national identity card (NIC), expected in January 2025, is still not operational. At police stations, long queues persist, and citizens are growing impatient with the lack of concrete solutions.

Endless queues, frustrated citizens 🕰️

Despite promises from authorities, the situation remains unchanged. The implementation of the application was meant to streamline the NIC application process. Applicants complain about excessive delays and the need to constantly renew their temporary receipts. These delays could potentially be reduced through digital solutions.

« I have a receipt that has been extended three times. I don’t know when I’ll finally get my NIC. People have to stand in line for hours, yet the promised digitization would have made life easier for us, » says Meryle N.

Martine N., a journalist, also shares her frustration. « My receipt is covered with extensions pasted on it for over two years now. It’s unbearable. I can’t even renew my passport because I don’t have a NIC. You go to the police station, and it’s overcrowded, even though technology could have simplified things for us. »

Steve T., a student, laments the lack of reliable information: « We were told it would be quick with the application, but we’re still waiting. At this point, we don’t even know if it will ever be available. »

A delayed project 🚧

In May 2024, Labinot Carreti, the CEO of Augentic GmbH, the company managing the project, announced a major reform. He promised that the online application would make it easier to schedule appointments. With 68 multifunctional centers and 219 renovated stations, the NIC was supposed to be issued within 48 hours. However, there has been no progress visible since the beginning of 2025.

According to authorities, the process should be simple and fast. The outlined procedure is as follows:

• Online registration on the dedicated platform with personal information entry.
• Payment via mobile money to avoid queueing at counters.
• Receipt of an electronic confirmation to present at an identification post.
• Completion of the application by taking a photo and recording fingerprints.
• Retrieval of the NIC within 48 hours—a timeline that now seems unrealistic given the observed delays.

Insufficient communication 📢

Amid growing discontent, the General Delegation for National Security (DGSN) issued a statement on January 10, 2025. It invited citizens to send complaints to the ten regional delegations, accompanied by their personal details. General Delegate Martin Mbarga Nguélé also highlighted the existence of the Canal Police program on National Radio (88.8 FM) to keep the public informed. However, these initiatives fall short for users, who are demanding concrete solutions and better transparency regarding the project’s progress.

Implementing the application is crucial to alleviating the pressure on police stations and reducing delays. Citizens are hoping for significant progress in the coming months.

« This needs to change quickly, or else we’ll keep living with these temporary receipts for years. Honestly, we’re already used to it. Good for those who don’t have documents to process, » worries Jean P., a merchant.

In the meantime, frustration continues to grow, and hopes are dwindling.

Your thoughts 🙂‍↕️
Do you think digitizing the NIC application process can truly resolve the issues faced by Cameroonians?