Burkina Faso has adopted a new biometric national identity card aligned with the standards of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), marking another step in the bloc’s push to harmonize official documents across its member countries.
Approved during Thursday’s Council of Ministers meeting, the AES biometric ID will become the country’s primary identification document as part of broader regional integration efforts.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said the new card is designed to provide a modern, secure, and interoperable identity system compatible with regional and international standards.
The document will be issued to all citizens aged five and above, remain valid for ten years, and gradually replace existing ID cards over a five-year transition period.
A separate decree adopted the same day sets new rules for travel documents, including emergency and pilgrimage passports.
Burkina Faso’s move follows Mali’s rollout of its E-AES biometric passport on October 27, 2025, featuring an electronic chip with fingerprint and photo data, as well as enhanced anti-fraud security technology.
The new AES biometric ID card and passport are intended to improve access to public services, strengthen document security, and enhance administrative cooperation across the alliance.
