A digital identification process for taxi owners and drivers in Yaoundé, Cameroon, is scheduled to commence on July 3rd and continue until October 5th. This enrolment initiative is part of new measures implemented by the city council to identify taxis operating on the city's roads.
A recent order from the city mayor mandates [1] a new registration drive that will be compulsory for all taxi drivers and vehicles. The initiative claims it aims to modernize the country’s urban transportation system, taxis and drivers that fail to digitally register by the deadline will be prohibited from operating. Furthermore, this mayor says the digital ID system is expected to improve the urban transport sector by enhancing passenger safety, as harassment incidents in taxis are a concern. The registration campaign [2] is set to take place from July 3rd to October 5th, 2026. Following this deadline, any taxi operating in Yaoundé that has not completed the registration process will be subject to impoundment as stipulated in Article 9 of the municipal order. This measure enforces the new system as mandatory for all taxi operations in the capital.
Additionally, the order permits owners and drivers to update their information when their circumstances change. Individuals who exit the profession are required to inform the mayor's office in writing. The initiative also claims it could improve working conditions for taxi drivers, facilitate the digital management of the municipal fleet, and establish a reliable database for urban planning. The mayor announced that registration can be completed through [3] the Taxi-Yaounde.com platform. Taxi drivers will need to provide various documents, including their national ID card, driver’s license, and a recent facial photograph.
The project for identification has garnered support from several partners, including the Ministries of Transport and Urban Development and Housing, along with the sustainable city mobility [4] initiative known as Green Mobility Yaoundé and the German Development Corporation is also contributing to the initiative. MoVe Yaoundé is [5] also being funded by the European Union and the French government.
The National Identification and Registration Authority claims [6] the Somali National ID system is a “vital mechanism” for citizens and legal residents, facilitating access to essential services and opportunities across multiple sectors. It underpins various aspects, including government services, financial inclusion, healthcare, and education, by providing a means for identity verification and authentication, thereby promoting transparency, security, and efficiency.
Numerous countries in Africa are progressively adopting digital identification for various applications, including in the transport sector. In July 2025 Somalia made [7] national digital ID mandatory to access specific services provided by the transport department, such as acquiring driver’s licenses and vehicle registration certificates. Somalia's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation [8] declared that all of its services will now necessitate the use of a National Identification Card issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority. Hamza Abdi Barre who [9] is the Prime Minister of Somalia said, “For more than 34 years, Somali citizens have lived without formal identification. This initiative will change that and contribute significantly to stabilizing and securing the country. This is not just about identification. The national ID is a platform for development politically, economically, and in terms of governance.” However, its implementation has sparked controversy. The Puntland's regional administration [10] formally opposed the national ID programme, describing it as politically motivated and a potential threat to regional autonomy.
The implementation signifies another application of digital identification in Cameroon, as the nation advances its digital transformation initiatives. It aims to extend beyond national ID enrolment by developing specific use cases that address pressing civic issues, while also illustrating how digital identity can be integrated into everyday economic transactions to foster trust among individuals. The Ministry of Secondary Education recently reached an agreement with [11] telecom company MTN Cameroon to implement digital IDs [12] for managing student profiles in colleges nationwide. In a separate initiative, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications announced the launch of a technology innovation challenge aimed at discovering young individuals who can provide innovative digital solutions to address local issues.