Libreville, August 7, 2025 – On the occasion of the 8th African Day of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (August 10), the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), through its Representation for Central Africa (REPAC-OIF), reaffirms its commitment to strengthening and modernizing civil registration systems in the Francophone space.
Beyond being a social and legal necessity, civil registration is also a strategic pillar for economic development, public planning, and investment attractiveness.
Civil Registration: The Foundation of Rights and a Development Tool
A complete and reliable civil registry is key to effective governance. It enables:
- Access to fundamental rights such as education, healthcare, and social protection;
- Better budget planning and public policies through accurate demographic statistics;
- Stronger efforts to combat fraud and economic exclusion by facilitating banking access and financial inclusion.
OIF has made this priority part of Sustainable Development Goal 16.9: Guarantee legal identity for all by 2030.
A Flagship Program Launched in 2019
For the past six years, the “Civil Registration” project has acted on two main fronts:
- On-the-ground actions – large-scale birth registrations, awareness campaigns, training for civil registry officials, and support for legislative and institutional reforms.
- High-level advocacy – mobilizing heads of state and ministers to make civil registration a national priority, in coordination with technical and financial partners.
This integrated approach promotes the creation of reliable, accessible, and inclusive systems, particularly in rural areas and among displaced or vulnerable populations.
Measurable Results in Central Africa
OIF’s initiatives have already delivered tangible impacts:
- Chad – More than 53,000 children registered in the Tandjilé and Ennedi Est provinces; a second phase is underway.
- Cameroon – 5,400 children in the Far North region have obtained birth certificates.
- Central African Republic – Ongoing project targeting 3,000 birth certificates and training for public officials.
These figures highlight OIF’s catalytic role in achieving universal civil registration coverage.
An Economic as Well as Social Imperative
A complete civil registry is also a major economic asset for CEMAC countries:
- For public finances – Improved knowledge of the population optimizes resource allocation and reduces losses from fraud or duplicate entries in subsidy systems.
- For the private sector – Reliable demographic data enhances market research, product design, and risk management.
- For international investors – Strong civil registration systems improve transparency, governance, and investor confidence.
African Civil Registration Day: An Annual Strategic Reminder
Established by the Conference of African Ministers in charge of civil registration, this day serves to mobilize governments, regional institutions, the private sector, and civil society around the importance of accurate civil registration data.
It reflects the vision of a Francophonie that is practical, agile, and close to its people, driving inclusive and sustainable development.
