The program aims to build a reliable national biometric civil registry to replace paper identification with electronic documents and generate a secure electoral register ahead of the local 2013 elections. The agreement supports Digital Gabon strategic plan to modernize and secure the country's infrastructure and protect its citizens from identity fraud.

The Gemalto end-to-end solution comprises of its Coesys biometric citizen enrolment system including desktop and mobile stations with the related software to capture citizens' demographic data, fingerprints and digital photographs. The solution integrates fingerprint matching capabilities to guarantees the identity's uniqueness of each entry. Gemalto also provides its Coesys Issuance solution to enable the Gabonese government to personalize future official documents as well as a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to build a trusted backbone for the integration of future eGovernment services. Gemalto also supplies consulting, training, technical assistance and maintenance services.

The biometric database will serve as a master registry to issue all citizen ID, including birth certificates, national identity cards, passports and driver's licenses. Tamper-proof biometric authentication will be instrumental to preventing fraud and abuse of government benefits programs.

"This project is a matter of sovereignty and national security for the Gabonese Republic," said Jean-François Ndongou, Minister of Interior. "We benefit from Gemalto's unrivaled expertise in citizen's enrolment programs that will enable us to make this project a reality. This initiative will slash identity fraud, strengthen transparency in election and contribute to reinforcing representative democracy."

"The creation of a biometric national registry in Gabon marks a major milestone for Central Africa," added Ari Bouzbib, Senior Vice President at Gemalto. "Following the successful enrolment of beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance in 2009, this new program underlines the success of the nation's "Emerging Gabon 2025" strategy. Customer proximity and local presence are essential in such a large strategic project, and our Libreville bureau will provide full support throughout the program."