As African countries accelerate the digitalization of civil registries, elections, and public services, biometrics is becoming a key pillar of state infrastructure. Yet the market remains largely shaped by foreign groups, and African players are still struggling to secure a strong position within it.

In its “Biometrics and Digital Identification Systems in Africa” report published in November 2025, the Atlantic Council estimates that 49 African countries now operate at least one biometric system. These technologies have become central to managing identity, elections, border control, and SIM card registration.

CIPESA (Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa), in its 2024 report “Biometrics and Digital Identity in Africa,” notes a rapid rise in the collection and processing of biometric data. This trend is closely linked to the shift from paper-based identification to digital identity systems across the continent.

A market seen as strategic by funders and policy groups

A 2019 study by the McKinsey Global Institute estimated that full digital ID coverage in a country could generate economic value equivalent to 3% to 13% of GDP by 2030. This would depend on high adoption rates and the development of multiple high-value use cases.

CIPESA also highlights that many government programs considered “critical” — including civil registration, national ID cards, voter rolls, e-passports, and mandatory SIM registration — increasingly rely on biometric identifiers.

The Atlantic Council describes this shift as a transformation of Africa’s identity and citizenship architecture, with biometric systems becoming the foundation for access to a wide range of services.

Taken together, these assessments have led several institutions to view biometrics as a major public policy domain on the continent.

National projects largely driven by foreign suppliers

On the ground, this growing importance has translated into a wave of national biometric projects, often developed with foreign partners.

According to the Atlantic Council, foreign technology firms dominate Africa’s biometric ecosystem. Companies such as Idemia and Thales (France), Semlex (Belgium), Veridos (Germany), and Huawei (China) provide the core technology, hardware, and algorithms behind many systems.

Many of these projects are financed through loans from international institutions, including the World Bank. This model can create what the report describes as “structural dependencies,” particularly in governance and procurement processes.

For example, Nigeria’s Identity for Development (ID4D) project is funded by the World Bank, in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), for about $430 million.

Led by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the project aims to issue at least 59 million National Identification Numbers (NIN) by December 31, 2026.

African players present, but rarely in control

CIPESA notes that several countries rely on public-private partnerships and local system integrators to deploy enrollment and data management systems. However, it does not suggest that these actors control the core platforms.

The Atlantic Council points to African or Africa-based firms such as Margins in Ghana, Seamfix in Nigeria, and BioRugged in South Africa. These companies supply biometric kits, system integration services, and field-level enrollment management.

Still, the main technological backbone of most national systems remains largely in foreign hands.

“Several African companies are gradually expanding their presence in the market, often as subcontractors to larger international groups. However, the market has not yet produced an African firm capable of matching the scale, research capacity, and political influence of leading European suppliers,” the Atlantic Council notes in its report.

Risks and structural challenges

The report warns of “structural dependencies” and political risks linked to this model.

“When foreign suppliers are not properly regulated, they can create long-term dependencies that undermine data sovereignty, human rights, and national security,” the Atlantic Council states.

It adds that foreign control over sensitive data can shift decision-making power away from national institutions. This may increase the risk of misuse, surveillance, and loss of control. Economic dependence can also deepen when key biometric systems are built and maintained by foreign companies or donors.

CIPESA also highlights concerns about state-enabled mass surveillance, data breaches, identity theft, and exclusion. These risks are linked to gaps in legal frameworks and weak implementation processes.

“Several of the 37 existing national data protection laws in Africa are not strong enough and do not include strict safeguards such as independent oversight bodies,” the organization notes.

Possible paths forward

Despite these challenges, the Atlantic Council says there are ways to rebalance the market.

It recommends strengthening data protection laws, increasing the independence of oversight authorities, and systematically including transparency rules, local content requirements, and skills transfer clauses in future biometric contracts.

Melchior Koba