Published Date : 11/3/2025Â
The Senegalese government is looking to Togo’s experience to build its digital ID system. A delegation from Dakar recently visited Lome to study Togo’s model and understand how it has been implementing its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) over the years.
Togo has made significant progress with its MOSIP-based digital ID system since signing an MoU in 2021. The country gained recognition a few years ago for building the Novissi platform, which facilitated government-to-people payments as a social protection measure during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
The delegation from Senegal’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy (NCTN) met with officials from Togo’s National Identification Authority (ANID) to discuss best practices and approaches to building a secure and trustworthy digital ID system. TechAfrica News reports that the discussions covered technical architecture, infrastructure, and the integration of the MOSIP-based system to enhance access to services.
Both Senegal and Togo are part of the West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI), a regional ID initiative supported by the World Bank. The initiative aims to help participating countries build robust foundational ID systems to facilitate regional integration, drive financial inclusion, and streamline access to public and private services.
The discussions also explored ways to strengthen the WURI initiative’s goals. ANID official Yasmine Mama, quoted by Ecofin Agency, shared that they provided the Senegalese delegation with detailed information about their technical architecture and how they integrated the MOSIP-based digital ID system.
This peer learning engagement is crucial for Senegal, which is implementing its New Deal Technologique, a digital transformation strategy launched by the country’s president earlier this year. The strategy aims to establish DPI to propel the nation’s digital transformation. The Gates Foundation is supporting this initiative with a $10 million grant.
Many African countries are implementing DPI projects, and partnerships and collaboration are seen as vital for achieving their goals. This was evident during the ID4Africa 2025 AGM, where nations shared their digital ID journeys. Examples of bilateral partnerships on DPI development include those between Zambia and Ethiopia, and Togo and Kazakhstan.
Initiatives like the 50-in-5 campaign, which celebrates new DPI milestones and welcomes more members, are based on the belief that countries can establish secure, inclusive, and interoperable DPI by working together through the sharing of knowledge and technical expertise.Â
Q: What is the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)?
A: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to the foundational digital systems and platforms that enable the delivery of public and private services, enhance governance, and promote economic and social development.
Q: What is MOSIP and how is it used in Togo?
A: MOSIP (Modular Open Source Identity Platform) is an open-source platform used to build digital identity systems. Togo has been implementing a MOSIP-based digital ID system to enhance access to services and promote digital transformation.
Q: What is the New Deal Technologique in Senegal?
A: The New Deal Technologique is a digital transformation strategy launched by Senegal’s president to establish a robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and propel the nation’s digital transformation. It is supported by the Gates Foundation with a $10 million grant.
Q: What is the WURI initiative?
A: WURI stands for West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion. It is a regional ID initiative supported by the World Bank, aimed at helping participating countries build robust foundational ID systems to facilitate regional integration and financial inclusion.
Q: Why is peer learning important in digital ID development?
A: Peer learning is crucial in digital ID development as it allows countries to share knowledge, best practices, and technical expertise. This collaboration helps countries overcome common challenges and achieve their digital transformation goals more effectively.Â