• Madagascar launches pilot for national biometric digital ID system
• Full rollout targets 2M adults from April to June 2026
• Reform aims to streamline services, cut fraud, and modernize administration

Madagascar on Tuesday launched the pilot phase of a national biometric registration programme, marking a key step in the rollout of a digital identity system intended to modernise the country’s public administration.

The initiative is part of a broader reform aimed at providing every citizen with a unique identification number, which is expected to become the main reference for accessing public services.

The pilot phase, which involves senior government officials, will serve as a large-scale test of the system and allow authorities to fine-tune the technical infrastructure ahead of a nationwide launch planned for April.

In a Facebook post, the Ministry of Digital Development, Posts and Telecommunications said the government is targeting the registration of two million citizens between April and June 2026, with priority given to adults aged 18 and over.

The registration process is based on the collection of several types of biometric data, including fingerprints, facial images and iris scans, which are linked to individuals’ personal details.

According to the authorities, the objective is to ensure that each person has a single, verifiable identity, thereby limiting the risks of duplication, errors and fraud in official databases.

Beyond identification, the reform is expected to improve the reliability of civil registry records, support more effective public policy planning and accelerate the digitisation of administrative services.

In the longer term, the digital identifier is also expected to simplify administrative procedures, improve coordination between public institutions and support the expansion of online public services.

Adoni Conrad Quenum