African Partners, World Bank Commit to Provide Identification to Millions
WASHINGTON, April 14, 2016 —African leaders and development partners agreed on a common approach for accelerating the provision of unique identification to millions of people in Africa as a means to foster more inclusive economies and greater regional integration.

At a high-level meeting on Wednesday during the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings, representatives from the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the East African Community, African Ministers of Finance, development partners and the World Bank Group committed to join efforts in providing identification to millions of people across Africa through a more integrated and regional approach.

“Identification provides a foundation for other rights and gives a voice to the voiceless,” said World Bank Vice President for Africa Makhtar Diop. “It is indispensable for ensuring access to education, financial services, and health and social benefits.”

The World Bank will work with countries in collaboration with regional bodies like the African Union to develop a set of harmonized standards to support interoperability between national identification systems and mutual recognition of identification documents.

“People have a right to legal identity and recognition which are essential prerequisites for decent work, livelihoods and well-being,” said African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson, Erastus Mwencha. “Those issues are at the core of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, and require access to technology, resources, as well as advocacy and capacity.”…