By Simon Pierre Diouf and Mohamed Doumbia
Chad has launched an ambitious new initiative to help refugees better access essential services and integrate more fully into society. The project, developed in partnership with the Government of Chad, the National Agency for Secure Documents (ANATS, responsible for issuing secure identity documents), the National Commission for the Reception and Reintegration of Refugees (CNARR), UNHCR, and the World Bank, introduces a National Refugee Identification Number (NNIR) — a key step toward socio-economic inclusion.
Until now, refugees in Chad relied on documents issued by CNARR and UNHCR. While useful, these were not always recognized by local authorities, financial institutions, or service providers. This lack of formal recognition limited their ability to access essential services such as healthcare, open a bank account, or register a phone number.
To address this gap, a World Bank–funded pilot project was launched to register refugees in Chad’s Integrated Population and Secure Documents Management System (SIGPTS). Through a secure process that includes biometric verification, refugees are now receiving an NNIR—a unique identifier that formally links them to national systems and services.
For Abakar, a Central African refugee who has lived in N’Djamena for over a decade, the change is deeply personal. He holds his new documents with pride. “These papers will really help me move around freely and feel part of society,” he said with a smile. “They’re not just documents — they mean a new beginning.”
Beyond improving access to basic services, the system also helps prevent fraud. Biometric checks during the registration process ensure that each person has a single, verified identity within the system.
The pilot phase began in N’Djamena with a target of registering 7,000 refugees. Despite some logistical and financial challenges, more than 4,000 refugees have already received their secure documents—underscoring the strong demand for this new form of recognition.
With an NNIR, refugees can now do things many take for granted: open bank accounts, register SIM cards, receive money transfers from abroad, and access healthcare—all critical for building more stable and independent lives.
“The response from refugees has been extremely positive,” said Mohamed Doumbia, a project lead at UNHCR Chad. “They see the practical benefits of this initiative in their daily lives and are eager to be part of it.”
Following this initial phase in N’Djamena, the project is gradually expanding: to the east for Sudanese refugees, to the south for those from the Central African Republic, and to the west for Nigerian refugees. The goal of the pilot phase is to issue 25,000 secure documents to refugees, with a long-term ambition to cover the entire country for all refugees aged ten and older, in accordance with Chadian law.
The World Bank’s support has been crucial, and other partners are encouraged to join as the project scales up.
Rooted in the Sustainable Development Goals and the broader humanitarian-development-peace nexus, this initiative highlights Chad’s growing leadership in refugee protection and inclusion. It also reflects the power of collaboration between national institutions and international partners in advancing dignity, access, and opportunity for all.