Idemia to help war-torn Libya establish biometric digital ID system

A deal has been struck for Idemia to assist the north African nation of Libya in putting in place a biometric digital identity system which will, among other things, enable the conflict-ridden country organise more credible and fraud-free elections in the future.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect has been signed between the Interior Minister of Libya’s internationally recognized government based in the capital Tripoli, Fathi Bashaga, and officials of the French digital identity solutions company, Libya Herald reports.

The report said Fathi announced the development on his official twitter account, saying it highlights the government’s resolve to continue to upgrade its security systems.

“For that, we signed an MoU with Idemia Group to develop a safe biometric identification system using facial recognition, fingerprints and iris scan for security and civil use. This will enable us to secure elections and rigging,’’ Fathi said in the tweet cited by Libya Herald.

The report said the Interior Ministry had announced that the deal with Idemia comes after the Interior Minister had held prospection talks with a number of companies specialised in biometrics identification, digital ID solutions and smart city surveillance systems.

Fathi reportedly talked with the companies to explore possibilities for a partnership in order to assist the struggling government in Tripoli in putting in place biometric systems that can verify the identity of citizens in smart, safe and contactless ways, and to make available electronic panels for automated vehicles which are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies.

The report said the Interior Minister’s talks abroad also touched on issues related to the installation of advanced video surveillance systems for cities in Libya with the ability to ensure quicker interventions and detection of threats and a stronger link with members of the public.

“Important meeting today with @thalesgroup in which we examined the possibility of cooperating in the field of cities and boarders surveillance using advanced technological systems to reduce crime and secure boarders which will enhance the abilities of GNA’s Ministry of Interior,” Fathi said in a November 21 tweet seen by Biometric Update.

The Libya deal adds to Idemia’s long list of partnerships with African governments and organisations to help them develop and strengthen trusted digital ID systems. The company early this month for instance renewed its deal with Mauritania for the production of secure digital documents for the country’s citizens.

In August this year, the French firm engaged with the League of Arab States’ Council of Economic Unity to assist the 14 member-states in their digital transformation efforts using digital ID solutions and biometrics.

Article Topics

Africa  |  biometric identification  |  biometrics  |  digital identity  |  elections  |  facial recognition  |  fingerprint biometrics  |  IDEMIA  |  iris recognition  |  Libya  |  Thales Digital Identity and Security