Congo Cancels $1.2B Biometric ID Contract

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has canceled a $1.2 billion contract aimed at establishing a national biometric ID system.

The project was meant to be handled by IDEMIA in partnership with the intermediary Afritech, but was called off on August 12, 2024, according to Richard Ilunga, the Director General of Congo’s National Office for Population Identification (ONIP). While Ilunga did not provide specific reasons for the termination, it followed a meeting between government agencies and representatives from the IDEMIA-Afritech consortium.

The move occurred shortly after an investigative report by Bloomberg and Lighthouse Reports revealed allegations of financial mismanagement and cost irregularities.

The contract had initially been projected to cost $360 million, but by the time the IDEMIA-Afritech consortium was selected, the estimated costs had ballooned to $1.2 billion. This escalation in costs, more than three times the original estimate, raised concerns about “flagrant overpricing” and potential corruption.

A confidential internal memo produced by ONIP in 2023 highlighted these concerns, describing the deal as potentially turning into an “enormous scam.” These concerns were echoed by the Congolese government’s Inspectorate General of Finance, which, in June of 2024, released a report questioning the legality and feasibility of the financing arrangements for the project.

The World Bank had also declined to provide funding for the ID system, citing the lack of a competitive bidding process. Despite the ID system’s potential to significantly improve access to public services, banking, and voting for the DRC’s citizens, the financial irregularities and lack of transparency surrounding the contract ultimately led to its cancellation.

IDEMIA, while confirming the project’s termination, distanced itself from direct involvement, stating that its contract was with Afritech, not the Congolese government.

The cancellation of the contract is part of a broader struggle the DRC has faced in establishing a national identification system. The last major ID issuance occurred in the 1980s, and recent efforts to roll out biometric IDs have been fraught with difficulties.

Despite the cancellation, ONIP announced plans in late August 2024 to soon relaunch the issuance of national ID cards, signaling ongoing efforts to address the country’s identification challenges.

Sources: BNN Bloomberg, Techpoint Africa

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September 4, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy and Alex Perala