• Niger approves electronic AES passports and biometric ID cards

• Reform supports Sahel integration after exit from ECOWAS passport system

• Chip-based documents aim to improve security, mobility and trade

Niger approved two draft decrees on December 26 to introduce electronic AES passports and AES biometric national identity cards, the government said. The initiative is part of efforts by members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to promote regional integration by harmonizing travel and identity documents.

The move follows plans to standardize documentation after the Confederation launched a common passport in late January, replacing the ECOWAS passport following its withdrawal from the bloc. Authorities say harmonization is intended to better manage cross-border movements without restricting free movement within the Confederation.

Analysts say the reform also aims to strengthen regional sovereignty while securing human and economic flows. In the Sahel, where security challenges remain acute, border controls and movement management have become increasingly important. The new electronic passports, including ordinary and service passports, as well as the biometric national identity card, rely on chip-based technology designed to limit fraud, improve traceability, and strengthen identification.

From an economic perspective, smoother movement through harmonized documents is seen as key to cross-border trade, regional logistics, and labor mobility in the landlocked Sahel. The initiative is part of a broader agenda that includes institutional reforms and infrastructure investments, notably in road connectivity. Last week, the Confederation also launched its investment and development bank to finance structural projects and support member economies.

Challenges remain, including international recognition of the new passports, interoperability with non-AES systems, and the cost of rolling out biometric documents, factors that will determine their effectiveness in practice.

Henoc Dossa