The Benin government has taken a significant step towards promoting inclusion and equality for people with disabilities. On September 18, 2026, the Ministry of Family and Social Action, in collaboration with the National Agency for Identification and Population (ANIP), began distributing 1,422 equality cards to people with disabilities in the Littoral department. The cards aim to provide equal opportunities and access to services for people with disabilities.
The distribution ceremony, held at the Cité ministérielle in Cotonou, was attended by dozens of people with disabilities who received their equality cards. Minister of Family and Social Action, Véronique Tognifodé, assured the beneficiaries that the government is committed to their cause. She emphasized that disability should not be a barrier to equality, dignity, and access to services.
According to Minister Tognifodé, the equality card is not just an identity document but a symbol of recognition of the holder's place in society. The card guarantees that the holder's rights are the same as those of any Beninese citizen. The minister also highlighted that the card allows holders to access preferential rights and measures, including a specific rate of disability, which determines access to certain social aids and benefits.
The equality cards are part of the government's efforts to achieve universal access to legal identity. ANIP Director-General, Aristide Guy Adjinacou, stated that the goal is to ensure that every person, regardless of their social situation or origin, has a legal identity. He recalled that the Sustainable Development Goal 16.9 aims to guarantee a legal identity to every person by 2030, and Benin has set a national deadline of 2028.
Domingo Nassirou, President of the Association of People with Disabilities in Benin, urged those who have not yet obtained the equality card to initiate the process. However, he expressed concern that some medical doctors are still demanding payment for delivering medical certificates, despite the procedure being free. Minister Tognifodé acknowledged the issue and assured that her ministry would transmit the concern to the Ministry of Health to ensure better implementation of the regulations.
To address the issue of medical certificates, Minister Tognifodé revealed that there is a list of dedicated doctors in each locality who are responsible for delivering medical certificates to people with disabilities. She assured that the government is working to ensure that the process is smooth and accessible. The ANIP will continue to distribute the equality cards in the remaining 11 departments of the country.
The distribution of equality cards is a significant step towards promoting inclusion and equality for people with disabilities in Benin. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to services and opportunities. With the cards, beneficiaries will be able to access preferential rights and measures, promoting their social and economic integration.
Key points
- The Benin government has distributed 1,422 equality cards to people with disabilities to promote inclusion and equality.
- The equality cards provide holders with access to preferential rights and measures, including a specific rate of disability.
- The government aims to achieve universal access to legal identity by 2028, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16.9.
