Burkina Faso has just taken a major step in modernizing its identification systems with the official adoption of the AES biometric identity card during the Council of Ministers meeting on November 6, 2025. This reform is part of a regional initiative within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which also includes Mali and Niger.

An innovative and secure document

• The AES biometric identity card incorporates biometric data, ensuring more reliable identification and protecting against fraud related to identity theft.
• It complies with regional and international standards, thus strengthening administrative coherence and security at the national and regional levels.
• Valid for ten years, this card consolidates the sovereignty of Burkina Faso facing current security challenges.

Beneficiaries and validity period

All Burkinabe citizens aged five and over will be able to obtain this new biometric card.

Its validity is ten years, facilitating administrative management and allowing for regular updates of identification data.

Transition period and implementation

A five-year transition period will allow for the gradual withdrawal of the old national identity card in favor of the AES biometric card. This period aims to ensure a smooth and inclusive adoption for the entire population.

Impact on Access to Services

The new card facilitates citizens’ access to basic social services, including easier identification for education, healthcare, and administrative procedures. It will strengthen data reliability and simplify movement within the Sahel region.

A Lever for Regional Integration

The standardization of identity documents within the Sahel aims to streamline trade and travel, while providing a collective response to the security and diplomatic challenges facing the region. The Sahel biometric card embodies the political will of the Sahel states to unify and strengthen their administrative framework.

This advancement represents a major turning point for the digitalization and security of identity in Burkina Faso and the Sahel region, while promoting long-term social and administrative inclusion.