Congo scraps $1.2 billion biometric ID project over cost concerns

The Democratic Republic of Congo has scrapped a $1.2 billion project to establish a national biometric ID system, following concerns raised by a government watchdog about cost overruns and potential funding issues, Bloomberg reported.

The deal, which involved French biometrics company Idemia working through an intermediary called Afritech to create a civil registry and produce ID cards, was officially terminated on August 12, as confirmed by Richard Ilunga, Director General of Congo’s National Office for Population Identification.

Ilunga shared that the decision came after a meeting between various government agencies and the Idemia-Afritech partnership. However, when asked for further details, he declined to explain the specific reasons behind the project’s cancellation.

The World Bank had refused to fund the biometric ID project due to concerns over the absence of a competitive tendering process. In 2023, civil servants at ONIP (National Office for Population Identification) circulated a confidential memo which raised serious concerns about the Idemia and Afritech proposal, pointing out “flagrant overpricing” and warning that the contract could potentially become an “enormous scam.”

In June, the Inspectorate General of Finance, a Congolese government watchdog, released an internal investigation that raised red flags about the cost of the biometric ID project.

The report revealed that the proposed financing mechanism for the system was “illegal or impossible.” Following the report, President Felix Tshisekedi called for a detailed briefing on the contract from the Interior Minister.

The $1.2 billion price tag for Congo’s proposed ID system and infrastructure was more than three times ONIP’s initial estimate. If the deal had gone through, it would have ranked among the most expensive digital identity contracts ever.

Congo currently lacks a national ID system, which complicates basic tasks for its citizens, such as opening bank accounts, obtaining official documents, and registering to vote.