The Benin's Agence nationale d'identification des personnes (ANIP) has successfully provided 50,109 children with free birth certificates in a month-long operation that ended in September 2026. This initiative was conducted in collaboration with the project WURI-Bénin and the UNICEF, as part of the Journée de l'identité 2026. The goal of this operation was to give a legal identity to children who did not have a birth certificate, which is essential for accessing various rights and services.
The absence of a birth certificate can complicate a person's life, particularly when it comes to accessing basic rights and services. The Beninese government has made the protection of children a priority, and the provision of birth certificates is a crucial aspect of this effort. The ANIP's operation targeted children under the age of 14 who had never obtained a birth certificate. This move is part of the government's strategy to ensure that all citizens have a legal identity by 2028.
The operation was not limited to the issuance of birth certificates. In Agonvè, a commune in Zagnanado, 814 children were enrolled following a requisition by the prosecutor, under a mechanism established by decree n° 2025-679. This decree allows for the registration of certain children under 14 who were not previously registered in the civil registry. This initiative demonstrates the government's commitment to modernizing the identification system.
The ANIP has been experimenting with a one-stop shop approach in certain healthcare facilities since 2025. This allows for the declaration of births, registration, and issuance of identity documents near families. The September operation is part of a broader policy to modernize identification and provide a legal identity to all citizens. The free provision of birth certificates brings concrete results to the government's ambition to make legal identity a right accessible to all.
The stakes of this operation go beyond the simple issuance of a document. The goal is to ensure that no Beninese child is juridically invisible. The ANIP's initiative aims to address the issue of children growing up without being able to prove their identity. This can have serious consequences, including limited access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.
The collaboration between the ANIP, WURI-Bénin, and UNICEF has been instrumental in the success of this operation. The support of these organizations has enabled the ANIP to reach a significant number of children and provide them with the essential document. The government's commitment to protecting children's rights and ensuring their access to basic services is reflected in this initiative.
The provision of free birth certificates to 50,109 children is a significant achievement for the ANIP and the Beninese government. This operation demonstrates the government's commitment to ensuring that all citizens have a legal identity. The ANIP's efforts to modernize the identification system and make it more accessible to all citizens, particularly those in remote areas, are ongoing.
Key points
- The ANIP provided free birth certificates to 50,109 children under 14 in a month-long operation.
- The operation was conducted in collaboration with WURI-Bénin and UNICEF as part of the Journée de l'identité 2026.
- The goal of the operation was to give a legal identity to children who did not have a birth certificate.
