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In a move marking a significant shift in regional dynamics, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are set to introduce new biometric passports as part of their broader strategy to strengthen the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Malian junta leader Assimi Goita announced the forthcoming launch of these biometric passports, aimed at standardizing travel documents across the newly formed alliance. The initiative is designed to enhance regional integration and streamline cross-border travel within the Sahel region.

‘‘We will be working to put in place the infrastructure needed to strengthen the connectivity of our territories through transport, communications networks and information technology,” Goita said.

The new biometric passports will serve as a critical tool for the AES, which was established to foster greater cooperation among its member states. Goita emphasized the importance of bolstering infrastructure to support this integration, noting plans to improve transport, communication networks, and information technology across the region.

“By introducing these passports, we are creating a cohesive system that reflects our commitment to regional unity and development,” Goita said. “Our goal is to strengthen the connectivity of our territories and support economic and social progress.”

Burkina Faso, which revealed its new biometric passport on September 4, 2024, has notably omitted the ECOWAS logo from the design. This move underscores the country’s definitive break from the regional bloc, following its military coup and subsequent withdrawal from ECOWAS earlier this year. Security minister Mahamadou Sana highlighted that the removal of the ECOWAS branding symbolizes Burkina Faso’s departure from the bloc and its ongoing efforts to establish an independent regional identity.

“On this passport, there’s no ECOWAS logo, and no mention of ECOWAS either. Since January, Burkina Faso has decided to withdraw from this body, and this is just a realisation of the action already taken by Burkina Faso,” security minister Mahamadou Sana mentioned during the launch. 

The new passport is produced by Emptech, a Chinese biometrics firm, which has been instrumental in supporting Burkina Faso’s digital transformation.

The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS raised concerns about the future of regional cooperation and the impact on citizens’ mobility. The exit meant that their citizens would no longer have access to the ECOWAS passport and would be excluded from the West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI) program. This World Bank-supported initiative provides foundational IDs and supports regional integration across ECOWAS member states.

However, the introduction of the AES biometric passport is expected to mitigate some of these concerns by offering an alternative means of identification and facilitating regional mobility within the Sahel alliance.

To support this transition, Burkina Faso has been actively enhancing its digital infrastructure. In March 2024, the country secured $150 million from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) for its “Digital Acceleration Project.

As Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger forge ahead with their new biometric passports, the move represents a significant step towards redefining regional alliances and establishing a new framework for cooperation in the Sahel.