The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has launched a new biometric passport system in partnership with German biometrics company Dermalog, marking a significant upgrade to the country’s travel document infrastructure. The implementation builds upon the DRC’s broader efforts to modernize its identity management systems, following earlier initiatives like the IDEMIA-supported digital identity program that helped establish foundational identity services in the country.
The new passport system, implemented under a $48 million contract awarded to Dermalog in 2022, incorporates multiple advanced security features that meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. These include a contactless RFID chip, polycarbonate data page, holograms, UV printing, and watermarks. The adoption of polycarbonate technology follows a global trend in secure document production, similar to implementations in the United Kingdom and other nations seeking to enhance passport durability and security.
The RFID chip stores comprehensive biometric data, including fingerprint and iris scans, facial recognition information, document scans, and signature verification. The system matches emerging international standards for digital travel credentials and enhanced document security. The centralized production system has the capacity to issue up to 2,400 passports daily.
As part of the implementation, the DRC is establishing biometric capture centers throughout the country. The system includes 100 stations in total, with 50 stationary and mobile stations within the country and an additional 50 mobile units deployed to diplomatic missions abroad. The distributed enrollment approach mirrors successful deployments in other African nations, where mobile enrollment has proven crucial for reaching citizens in remote areas.
The new system features online pre-registration and biometric enrollment capabilities, designed to streamline the travel document application process. The digital transformation also aims to enhance the reliability of civil registries, supporting the country’s broader goals for modernizing its identity infrastructure.
A notable aspect of the new system is the reduction in passport costs. The price for an ordinary biometric passport has been lowered to $75, representing a significant decrease from the previous rate of $185 under former provider Semlex. The change follows an earlier price reduction to $99 in 2019, demonstrating the government’s commitment to making secure identity documents more accessible to citizens.
The implementation comes after a competitive bidding process that included several international firms, such as IN Groupe, Pangea, Toppan, ANY Security Printing, Poltech Electronic, and Gateway. The selection of Dermalog reflects the company’s growing presence in African identity management projects and its expertise in biometric solutions.
Sources: Morningstar, ITTech Pulse, Macau Business
