HID Global e-ID card solutions for easier travel for citizens of ECOWAS

HID Global®, a worldwide leader in trusted identity solutions, has introduced an end-to-end solution for national e-ID cards that complies with the recommendations provided by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as well as all international standards for travel identity documents. The solution gives ECOWAS nations greater options for launching e-ID programs that will enable their citizens to travel easily within this sub-region of Africa.

“HID offers government agencies in the ECOWAS region the choice to directly source cards or buy specific components to fulfill their e-ID Card programs,” said Manuel Deloche, Vice President Product Marketing, Citizen ID Solutions with HID Global.

“We provide a one-stop shop for everything from polycarbonate inlays and cards to chips and a Common Criteria-certified chip operating system, all aligned with ECOWAS recommendations. HID Global can either support national governments directly or work hand-in-hand with regional partners to ensure a successful project.”

Per ECOWAS guidelines, the HID card and inlay options use polycarbonate materials, include an aluminum watermark and are compatible with inductive coupling dual-interface chip technology so there is no physical contact between the card’s module and antenna. HID cards and cards made using HID components have been fully tested against ISO24789 requirements for a minimum 10-year lifespan.

HID’s ECOWAS solutions offer the option of including the company’s Mirage™ level 1 security feature. Mirage™ is a 5-in-1 security feature including negative laser engraving, window protection, bi-color metallic effects, customizable design options and a window seal. The bundles also include a Common Criteria-certified SOMATM chip operating system supporting ICAO national e-ID applications, digital signatures, and “match-on-card” capabilities.

The ECOWAS national e-ID card initiative spans more than 500 million citizens from the nations of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’ Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo.

Several countries have started their national e-ID implementations and others are expected to initiate programs soon. These programs are aimed at making travel more convenient for citizens while also promoting economic integration among ECOWAS member states.