The Angolan government announced on Thursday that all 21 provinces are now issuing National Identity Cards (BIs) locally, while citizens living in remote areas will be able to obtain the document through mobile printing units as part of the ongoing voter registration process.
According to Angola’s Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Marcy Lopes, the government continues to implement measures aimed at universal access to the National Identity Card for Angolan citizens both within the country and abroad, as the document is essential for the exercise of citizenship.
Speaking on Thursday before the National Assembly, where he presented the proposed Civil and Criminal Identification Law, the minister said the universalisation plan includes decentralising the issuance of identity cards. This will initially allow provincial capitals to print the documents locally before expanding the service to other municipalities.
Lopes told lawmakers that, since Wednesday, all Angolan provinces have begun issuing identity cards locally.
He added that in Luanda, which has 16 municipalities, six are already printing identity cards locally, while three more municipalities are expected to begin the process on Friday.
“All provinces, according to their population density, will receive equipment and printers to carry out local printing of identity cards. Since population sizes differ, we will adapt the process accordingly,” he said.
Responding to concerns from members of parliament regarding citizens who still lack identity cards at a time when voter registration is underway ahead of the 2027 general elections, the minister assured lawmakers that mobile registration teams will continue reaching remote communities.
“These mobile teams have always been responsible for civil registration and issuing identity cards to people living in the most remote areas,” he said.
“The difference now is the introduction of mobile printers, which will allow identity cards to be issued on-site as soon as citizens’ personal data has been collected,” he added.
Access to identity cards across the country has long been a concern for lawmakers, civil society organisations and citizens, many of whom complain about bureaucracy and lengthy processing times.
The minister acknowledged that technological systems and staff can sometimes fail but stressed that the government’s ultimate objective is to ensure every citizen receives an identity card.
He also noted that anyone holding a voter registration card can use it to apply for an identity card, while citizens without one can still access the civil registration system through late birth registration.
Authorities aim to register more than 16.7 million citizens aged over 18 as part of the voter registration update process, which began on 15 June and will continue until 31 March 2027.
The proposed Civil and Criminal Identification Law, which seeks to make the presentation of a National Identity Card mandatory for access to certain public and private services, prohibit the issuance and use of duplicate valid identity cards, and update the legal framework governing the issuance of identity cards and criminal record certificates, was unanimously approved in principle on Thursday.
The parliamentary plenary session, which considered and approved several pieces of legislation, will continue on Friday.
Source: Lusa
