Travelling between West African countries could become faster and more secure as ECOWAS expands the use of its National Biometric Identity Card across member states.

The ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card, known as ENBIC, allows immigration authorities to electronically verify the identity of travellers and is designed to improve border clearance for citizens moving within the regional bloc.

Seven countries have so far deployed the card, with ECOWAS working towards mutual acceptance at air, land and sea borders by December.

The countries are Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Benin, The Gambia and Sierra Leone.

Nigeria began rolling out the biometric card through the Nigeria Immigration Service in November 2025.

Officials explained the programme during a media sensitisation workshop in Lagos organised by the International Organisation for Migration in collaboration with ECOWAS and with support from the European Union.

HOW THE BIOMETRIC CARD WORKS

Head of Border Management and Migration at the ECOWAS Commission in Nigeria Obinna Ajugwo said the new card provides a more secure method of identifying travellers than the existing paper based ECOWAS Travel Certificate.

The card contains a biometric chip carrying information about its holder.

At border crossings, immigration officials can electronically authenticate the card and verify the traveller's identity.

Ajugwo said the system would also improve information verification and cooperation between immigration authorities across participating countries.

He described ENBIC as an important tool for achieving safer and more efficient movement throughout West Africa.

FASTER CLEARANCE AT BORDERS

One of the biggest expected benefits for travellers is reduced waiting time at border crossings.

Ajugwo said travellers can spend unnecessary time at borders when authorities are unable to quickly verify their identity or travel information.

Electronic verification through ENBIC is intended to make that process more efficient.

Head of the IOM Sub Office in Lagos Ali Ibrahim said improved identity verification could contribute to a more secure and integrated regional mobility system.

The card forms part of the wider ECOWAS framework designed to facilitate the movement of citizens between member countries.

CARD DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY GIVE RESIDENCE RIGHTS

The biometric identity card does not give its holder an unrestricted right to live permanently in another ECOWAS country.

Under the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment, citizens of member states can generally enter another participating country without a visa and remain for up to 90 days subject to applicable requirements.

Anyone intending to remain beyond the permitted period must comply with the residence and immigration requirements of the host country.

Nigeria Immigration Service Deputy Comptroller Bennett Chiagoro said Nigerians seeking longer stays in other member states would therefore still need to follow the relevant local requirements.

HOW NIGERIANS CAN APPLY

Nigerians can begin the application process through the Nigeria Immigration Service online system.

Applicants provide personal information and supporting documents before completing biometric enrolment.

The process includes verification, biometric capture, validation, production and issuance of the card.

Applicants can also use the system to book appointments, monitor applications, check payment information and report misplaced cards.

Prospective applicants are advised to confirm current documentation requirements and applicable fees with the Nigeria Immigration Service before beginning the process.

SECURITY FEATURES DESIGNED TO PREVENT FRAUD

The biometric chip is one of the central security features of ENBIC.

According to Chiagoro, information stored on the chip carries a digital signature from the issuing authority.

Attempts to alter information contained on the card would affect its digital signature and could be detected when immigration authorities authenticate it.

The card also contains a serial number and additional security features intended to help border officials identify fraudulent documents.

Officials said privacy, data security and protection of personal information are also being considered as implementation expands.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE EXISTING TRAVEL CERTIFICATE

ECOWAS intends ENBIC to replace the handwritten ECOWAS Travel Certificate with a machine readable identity and travel document.

However, implementation is not yet uniform across all participating countries.

Travellers should therefore confirm which documents are currently accepted at their intended destination before travelling, particularly while countries remain at different stages of implementation.

SEVEN COUNTRIES HAVE DEPLOYED THE CARD

Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Benin, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria have so far deployed ENBIC.

ECOWAS has said member states are working towards mutual acceptance of the card across air, land and sea borders by December.

The wider objective is to create a harmonised identification system capable of supporting the region's long standing commitment to free movement while improving security and border management.

Officials say successful implementation could particularly benefit traders, young people and communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on frequent cross border movement.

For millions of West Africans who regularly travel between neighbouring countries, wider acceptance of the biometric card could ultimately mean faster identity verification, shorter border processing times and a more integrated regional travel system.