Mali to Implement Digital Platform for Diaspora and Enhance…

Mali is launching a national digital platform to improve access to vital documents for its diaspora. This initiative, managed through diplomatic missions, aims to simplify administrative processes. Additionally, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have introduced a common biometric passport, marking a shift from ECOWAS practices. The broader digital transformation strategy further supports public service digitization efforts.

Mali is set to launch a national digital platform aimed at enhancing access to vital documents for its diaspora. This initiative enables Malian nationals abroad to obtain administrative, identity, and travel documents through the country’s diplomatic and consular missions, significantly modernizing the way the government manages data for its citizens overseas.

Abdoulaye Diop, Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, described the platform as a pivotal advancement in making administrative processes more efficient. He emphasized that this project simplifies access to essential documents for Malians living outside the country.

The platform, designed by Malian experts, not only streamlines services for expatriates but also assists foreigners seeking visas to Mali. Concurrently, the government’s comprehensive digital transformation aims to digitize all public services within the next few years, supported by partnerships with tech firms like Huawei.

Additionally, the initiative is compatible with the Liptako Visa system, which promotes regional mobility among member states. In recent developments, Mali, along with Burkina Faso and Niger, unveiled a common biometric passport, marking their departure from the ECOWAS-issued passports.

While there were attempts by Emptech, a Chinese identity solutions firm, to influence Malian document production, it has been reported that they played no role in developing the new passports for the Sahel countries. This change bears implications for a broader regional project, the West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI), aimed at promoting socio-economic growth and integration across West Africa.

In summary, Mali’s introduction of a national digital platform represents a significant advancement in governmental efficiency and accessibility for its diaspora. The project not only aims to streamline services for Malians abroad but also integrates a broader digital transformation strategy within the country. Furthermore, developments such as the new biometric passport system reflect ongoing regional collaborations and initiatives to enhance mobility and administrative efficiency.

Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com