Mali is launching a nationwide digital platform to provide its diaspora with easier access to administrative and identity documents. Designed by Malian experts, this platform will operate through diplomatic missions globally and aims to streamline services for both Malians abroad and foreigners applying for visas. This initiative is part of a broader effort to digitize public services in the country.
Mali is set to launch a national digital platform designed to enhance access to essential documents for its diaspora. This initiative will be accessible through the country’s diplomatic and consular missions globally, allowing expatriates to conveniently obtain administrative, identity, and travel documents. Abdoulaye Diop, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, emphasized the initiative’s role in modernizing administrative processes and improving access for Malians abroad.
The digital platform has been entirely crafted by Malian professionals, not only streamlining services for Malians overseas but also aiding foreign nationals in applying for Mali visas. This project is part of a larger initiative to digitize public services throughout the country within the forthcoming years. The Malian government is collaborating with Huawei to extend fiber optic infrastructure and establish a data center to support this digital transformation.
Minister Diop remarked that the implementation of this platform signifies a commitment to fostering a more effective and responsive administration. Furthermore, the platform is compatible with the Liptako Visa, promoting enhanced regional mobility among member states. Recently, Mali joined Burkina Faso and Niger in launching a shared biometric passport, replacing the previous passports issued under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This congruence among these nations reflects a significant political shift, as they are all currently led by military governments. Following the introduction of the new passports, Lt Gen Assimi Goita, the transitional leader of Mali and Chairman of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), noted that existing ECOWAS passports would remain valid until their expiration.
Although Chinese identity solutions provider Emptech has sought to assist the Malian government in producing its official documents, it has been confirmed that they played no role in the creation of the new biometric passports. The decision of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS carries broader implications for regional identity projects, including the World Bank-supported West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI) initiative, which aimed to facilitate foundational ID issuance in several ECOWAS states.
In conclusion, Mali is poised to enhance the accessibility of vital documents for its diaspora through a new digital platform, part of a broader initiative to digitize public services. This platform, developed by Malian experts, not only benefits nationals abroad but aligns with regional mobility efforts among the Alliance of Sahel States. The recent introduction of a shared biometric passport further signifies Mali’s shift away from ECOWAS and its commitment to regional integration while pursuing digital advancements.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
