ECOWAS member states have agreed to accept the bloc’s National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) at all official border crossing points from January 1, 2027.
The move aims to ease movement across West Africa and strengthen the regional free movement protocol.
The commitment is contained in the Freetown Declaration adopted at the 10th Annual Meeting of ECOWAS Heads of Immigration.
The meeting held in Sierra Leone from November 3 to 4.
Under the declaration, a valid biometric identity card issued by any ECOWAS member state is to be recognised as sufficient proof of identity and Community citizenship.
This applies at official border posts, whether or not the issuing country has commenced its own national rollout.
The decision places fresh responsibility on immigration authorities.
They must establish the administrative and technical arrangements required to recognise and verify cards issued by other member states.
For Nigeria, the commitment comes as the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) continues work on its national biometric identity card system.
The NIS is also developing the technology required to support border verification.
NIS Comptroller-General Kemi Nandap told the Freetown meeting that Nigeria was implementing the ENBIC through its locally developed Border Control and Immigration Management System (BCIMS).
She said mobile verification devices connected to the system were being deployed at border crossing points.
She said plans were also underway to extend issuance of the card to Nigerians in the diaspora.
Regional Verification Mechanism
The Heads of Immigration asked the ECOWAS Commission to finalise common technical specifications and a regional verification mechanism.
They also asked it to operationalise an existing monitoring and evaluation committee.
They want the commission to report annually on the rollout and acceptance of the card.
They called for the mobilisation of resources and wider public awareness.
They said this was particularly important among citizens, traders and communities living around border areas.
In a goodwill message, Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Sharon Dimanche, said regional integration should be measured by the experience of travellers at border crossing points.
She said recognition of travel documents, harmonised procedures and efficient border services could facilitate legitimate movement.
She said they could also protect livelihoods and strengthen border security.
The declaration also calls for the card to remain affordable and accessible.
It said issuance should be linked to civil registration.
The Heads of Immigration agreed to review implementation of the commitments at subsequent meetings.
The ECOWAS free movement framework provides for the movement of citizens of member states within the region.
However, the effectiveness of the arrangement depends on how national authorities implement and recognise the agreed documents and procedures.
Regional Courts Seek Better Compliance
Meanwhile, the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has renewed efforts to address poor implementation of judicial decisions.
It acted alongside two other African regional courts.
The courts said poor implementation was a major challenge to the effectiveness of justice institutions across the continent.
The commitment was made at their third Tripartite Judicial Dialogue in Arusha, Tanzania, from November 9 to 10.
Judges, registry officials and representatives of partner institutions examined ways to improve cooperation.
They also discussed strengthening mechanisms to monitor compliance with their decisions.
The meeting brought together the ECOWAS Court, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the East African Court of Justice.
Its theme was “Strengthening Institutional Cooperation, Implementation of Decisions and the Future of AJUDATA in Africa.”
The discussions built on the second dialogue held in Arusha in September 2024.
That meeting identified inadequate resources, low implementation of judicial decisions and gaps in coordination as major obstacles.
