Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré has become the first leader of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to receive the bloc’s new biometric identity card, a landmark step in strengthening regional integration and national identity following the bloc’s exit from ECOWAS.
The card, officially handed over by Burkina Faso’s Security Minister Mahamoudou Sana, is valid for 10 years and meets international security standards, including compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It includes an electronic chip storing biometric data, which enhances identity security and streamlines access to public services.
The AES biometric ID marks a shift from ECOWAS membership to the new Sahel bloc, emphasizing institutional independence. A five-year transitional period will allow citizens to continue using older IDs while gradually phasing them out. The initiative aligns with previous AES steps, including the launch of a unified AES biometric passport earlier in 2025.
“This card is more than identification; it is a symbol of our commitment to regional cooperation and a foundation for future cross-border projects, trade, and mobility agreements,” said Minister Sana.
All Burkinabe citizens aged five and above are eligible for the AES biometric ID. The card will serve as the primary legal identification tool and facilitate access to social services. Plans are underway to extend the rollout to Mali and Niger, the other AES member states.
Officials highlight that the biometric system will enhance national security, protect personal data, and improve governance. The cards are expected to strengthen identity verification, reduce fraud, and ensure reliable access to public and private services across the region.
The rollout of the AES biometric ID and passport signals the bloc’s growing institutional independence and commitment to modernizing public administration. It represents a strategic step in asserting AES sovereignty and building a cohesive regional identity separate from ECOWAS.
This version adds context about the AES bloc, the transitional arrangements, regional integration goals, and implications for citizens and governance, making it comprehensive, clear, and suitable for a general audience.
