Cameroonians Welcome Speedy Biometric ID Card Issuance

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, Cameroon – Some Cameroonians in Yaoundé who recently received their new biometric national identity cards within 48 hours of application submission have expressed satisfaction with the efficiency of the production process.

The rapid issuance of the cards marks a significant improvement in the country’s identification system, which has long been plagued by delays and administrative bottlenecks.

The biometric ID card production system, which aims to modernize identification processes in Cameroon, has been met with optimism from citizens who previously endured long waiting periods to obtain their national documents. With the new system, applicants now receive their ID cards within two days, a drastic improvement from the months – sometimes even years – it took under the previous system.

Many recipients of the newly issued biometric ID cards have hailed the development as a step in the right direction, citing the ease of the application process and the speed of production.

Mbothak Francis, a student said: “I feel really good and I'm very happy because thanks to the strategy of His Excellency, our president, he took this initiative. We, the Cameroonians, are happy about the speed of the production of the ID Cards. It's true.”

“The first procedure was the online enrolment. First, the online enrolment. You have to go through several steps. Then, after the online enrolment, you come here with your enrolment PDF, your birth certificate, and a few more files. You get your 4 to 48 hours. I asked for 10,000.”

Another beneficiary expressed similar sentiments, emphasizing how the improved process has reduced frustration and uncertainty.

“We started everything online. There's a link. With the link, you can put all your information," Tsafack Meveille, a student who received her new ID Card said. "It's 10,000. And you're going to pay either through Momo or Orange Money. I am excited.

"I couldn't even believe it. I could not believe it. What I'll tell Cameroonians is that it's really, it's real. There's no faking. Even my classmates that I'm going to see, it's real.”

The biometric identity card project is part of the Cameroonian government’s broader efforts to improve national security, streamline administrative procedures, and enhance service delivery to citizens. Authorities believe that an efficient identification system will not only benefit individuals but also strengthen governance, security, and economic activities.

For many Cameroonians, possessing a valid national identity card is essential for accessing basic services, including banking, voting, and travelling. Delays in obtaining the document have often created difficulties, with some individuals unable to carry out key transactions or register for official processes due to the absence of proper identification.

The fast-tracked biometric ID card system is expected to eliminate these challenges, offering citizens a more efficient way to obtain and renew their national documents. While the system is still being rolled out nationwide, its success in Yaoundé has raised hopes that similar efficiency will be implemented in other regions.