The Office national de l'état civil et de l'identification (ONECI) has launched a new enrollment system for Côte d'Ivoire's national identity card (CNI) at the country's embassy in Washington, D.C. This development allows Ivoiriens residing in the United States to obtain their national IDs without having to travel to Côte d'Ivoire. The system became operational on October 30, 2026.
The initiative is a collaboration between the ONECI and the Côte d'Ivoire embassy in the US, aimed at facilitating administrative tasks for Ivoiriens living abroad. The new system reduces the need for travel to Côte d'Ivoire, making it easier for nationals to access essential documents. This move is expected to benefit a significant number of Ivoiriens in the US.
On the occasion of the launch, Ibrahima Touré, the ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire to the US, symbolically handed over national identity cards to several beneficiaries. The event marked a significant milestone in the country's efforts to extend its services to the diaspora. Ramatoulaye Coulibaly Bakayoko, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her satisfaction with the new system.
Coulibaly Bakayoko mentioned that she had previously traveled to Abidjan to obtain her national ID, but was now able to do so in the US. "Je suis venue faire ma CNI à l'ambassade de Côte d'Ivoire aux États-Unis. Je suis vraiment très contente parce que j'étais à Abidjan pour l'établir," she said. Her sentiments were echoed by Doris Koffi, another beneficiary.
Koffi described the experience as "une très belle expérience" and encouraged her compatriots to take advantage of the new system. The ONECI's initiative is expected to simplify various administrative tasks, including birth registrations and the issuance of birth certificates. This development is a significant step towards improving services for Ivoiriens abroad.
The collaboration between the ONECI and the Côte d'Ivoire embassy in the US aims to bring identification services closer to the diaspora community. By reducing travel requirements, the new system is expected to make life easier for Ivoiriens living in the US. The embassy has invited all eligible nationals to take advantage of this new service.
The launch of the enrollment system at the US embassy marks a significant expansion of Côte d'Ivoire's national ID services. With this development, Ivoiriens in the US can now access essential documents more easily. The ONECI's initiative is a positive step towards improving the lives of Ivoiriens abroad.
Key points
- Ivoiriens in the US can now enroll for national IDs at the Côte d'Ivoire embassy in Washington.
- The new system was launched on October 30, 2026, and is a collaboration between the ONECI and the Côte d'Ivoire embassy in the US.
- The initiative aims to simplify administrative tasks and reduce travel requirements for Ivoiriens living abroad.
