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Cameroon is set to introduce a new generation of ID card production facilities in the coming months, aiming to streamline the issuance process, according to Martin Mbarga Nguele, the Delegate General for National Security (DGSN), who made the announcement during the commissioning of a modern biometric passport production center in Douala, the economic capital. The DGSN is the country’s ID-issuing authority.
The news has generated renewed hope among citizens, as the ID card issuance process has faced persistent challenges in recent years.
“In the coming months, a new partner will invest in the construction of three centers for the production of national ID cards. Enrollment centers will also be established in all ten regional capitals of the country. The number of national ID card registration centers will be doubled across the national territory, increasing from the current 280 to 548,” explained Mbarga Nguele.
He further stated that modern enrollment centers equipped with at least 15 biometric capture desks will be built in all regional capitals. Additionally, more than 700 fixed and 300 mobile kits will be deployed to all identification offices. The government’s substantial investment in this initiative is expected to have a “reasonable and justified impact on the cost of the national ID card.”
Currently, the official fee for an ID card at the identification office is XAF 2,800 (approximately US$4.50).
The project’s contractor has not been disclosed, and the exact project launch date remains unspecified.
In parallel, Cameroon recently inaugurated a new passport production center, part of an effort to ensure efficient, secure, and safe passport issuance aligned with the Head of State’s vision. This modern facility is expected to process over 600 passport requests daily, effectively addressing past issues related to fraud and delays in the passport issuance process.
The new passport center in Douala is the second in the country, following the operational launch of the first center in Yaounde in July 2021. A third center is planned for the northern city of Garoua.
The contract for this initiative involves collaboration between German firm Augentic and the Portuguese state printer, INCM.
These developments follow recent assurances from Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute regarding the challenges of delayed ID issuance, and they coincide with the introduction of a facial recognition surveillance system in Douala, further enhancing security measures in the city.
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