Game Changer! Cameroon Introduces Online Pre-Enrollment for Faster ID Cards

By Ngunyi Sonita Nwohtazie

BUEA, Cameroon – Cameroon’s new secure identification system has been launched, aiming to resolve longstanding delays, where the official three-month processing time often stretched to years, leaving many Cameroonians reliant on repeatedly extended temporary receipts.

The introduction of the online pre-enrollment, which officially took off on February 17, 2025, comes as many Cameroonians have faced difficulties in obtaining their official identification, a challenge the new system seeks to address.

Martin Mbarga Nguele, Delegate General for National Security (DGSN), outlined a phased rollout, with physical enrollment at identification offices in all regional capitals beginning on February 24. He assured that national identity cards (CNIs) would be issued within a maximum of 48 hours, with some applicants possibly receiving theirs even sooner.

"This digital initiative aims to reduce long queues, ease the burden on identification centres, and accelerate the production of National Identity Cards," the Delegate General for National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguele stated.

This launch follows delays in 2024. Although the system was initially announced last year with presidential approval, it did not materialize, and no official reason was given. The new system aims to resolve longstanding delays, where the official three-month processing time often stretched to years, leaving many Cameroonians reliant on repeatedly extended temporary receipts.

According to Nkeng Franking, it is one of the best things the government of Cameroon has done this year. He said: “I must say that I am very happy and have been waiting for this day because holding a receipt for over five years with both pictures and information all faded away has been very worrisome to me.”
“At one point I had to be working with other identification documents just to prove a point,” he added.

To Chisome Brandon, the delays had affected him in so many ways. “I could not be a holder of a passport because I had no identity card. I have equally lost so many opportunities because of no passport which I regret a lot,” he cried out.

However, those with receipts under the old system have been assured that their CNIs will be processed and issued in the new format, provided their records are complete. These applicants are expected to receive their cards on February 17.

The modernization effort is backed by a government contract with the German-Portuguese consortium INCM-Augentic, signed on May 13, 2024, to produce CNIs within 24 hours after several Cameroonians faced a lot of challenges just to obtain one.

Additionally, Martin Nguele addressed issues related to multiple identities. On January 10, he launched an operation to resolve cases of dual identities or lineage discrepancies, urging affected individuals to submit requests at regional National Security Department delegations.

Just like the new biometric passports that began some years back, the modernization of the national identification card process is a heavy load offloaded from the shoulders of many Cameroonians.
Authorities have assured that the platform will be user-friendly and accessible to all applicants, including those in remote areas. The government has also pledged to reinforce security measures to protect citizens' data and prevent identity fraud.

With this modernization effort, Cameroon joins other nations embracing digital solutions to enhance public service delivery. The success of the online pre-enrollment system is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of the National Identity Card issuance process and provide relief to thousands of applicants nationwide.