The Director General of Benin's National Agency for Identification of Persons (ANIP), Aristide Guy Adjinacou Gnahoui, emphasized on September 16 that "no child should be invisible to the state." This statement was made during the International Day of Identity, themed "My Identity, My Shadow. Never Separated." To support this goal, ANIP, with UNICEF's assistance, is providing free birth certificates to children under 14 who have never had one. This initiative runs from September 16 to 30, 2026, across Benin.
The program targets children whose births were declared but never collected their birth certificates, as well as those enrolled in the RAVIP program but remained without an act. Eligible children can obtain their birth certificates by providing either their declaration form number or RAVIP receipt. There are two simple channels to access the service: online through the ANIP BJ application or http://eservices.anip.bj to retrieve the NPI and download the act, or by dialing *151# and then visiting an ANIP unit with the received SMS.
According to ANIP, providing free birth certificates is not charity but rather a measure to address a fundamental citizenship issue. A child without a birth certificate is considered non-existent legally and faces significant challenges, including difficulties in enrolling in school, taking exams, accessing healthcare, obtaining a biometric card, and traveling. Ultimately, this can affect their ability to vote. By issuing birth certificates, ANIP aims to grant children the right to be recognized, educated, treated, and participate in the democratic process.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9, which aims to provide a legal identity for all by 2030. Benin has set a target to achieve this goal by 2028. A decree issued on October 29, 2025, allows for derogatory registration based on testimony and prosecutor's requisition for children up to 13 years old. The installation of one-stop shops in 10 pilot healthcare facilities has shown promising results, with the registration rate increasing from 22% in 2025 to over 76% in six months.
In the pilot program, out of 17,071 declared births, more than 13,000 were registered. This progress indicates a significant step towards reducing the number of "invisible children" in Benin. The current operation, which runs until September 30, offers a two-week window for eligible children to obtain their birth certificates free of charge. The government hopes that this initiative will help eliminate invisibility and ensure that all children have a recognized identity.
The free birth certificate program is not just a social measure but a crucial step towards ensuring that all citizens have equal access to their rights. Children who lack birth certificates often face exclusion from essential services and opportunities. By addressing this issue, the Benin government aims to foster a more inclusive society where every individual has a recognized identity and can fully participate in civic life.
As the program comes to a close on September 30, ANIP and its partners hope to have made a significant impact in reducing the number of children without birth certificates. The effort to provide free birth certificates is a critical component of Benin's strategy to achieve universal identity documentation and ensure that no child remains invisible to the state.
Key points
- The program aims to provide free birth certificates to children under 14 who never had one, targeting those whose births were declared but never collected their certificates and those enrolled in the RAVIP program.
- The initiative supports Benin's goal to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9, providing a legal identity for all by 2028.
- The program offers two simple channels for eligible children to obtain their birth certificates: online through the ANIP BJ application or by dialing *151# and visiting an ANIP unit.
