ECOWAS SUPPORTS OVER 260 WOMEN WITH THE ISSUANCE OF ECOWAS NATIONAL BIOMETRIC CARDS (ENBIC) AT THE BORDER COMMUNITIES OF SAO DOMINGOS, GUINEA-BISSAU AND MPACK, SENEGAL

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its Directorate of Free Movement of Persons, Migration, and Tourism, organized a handing over ceremony with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) on 16^th March 2026 to present the ECOWAS National Biometric Cards to women in the border communities of Mpack, Senegal, and São Domingos, Guinea-Bissau.

The event brought together government officials from Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, including the Governor of Ziguinchor, Senegal; the Governor of Cacheu, Guinea-Bissau; National Boundary Commissions of both countries; the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ); and representatives from the ECOWAS Commission. The issuance of the ENBIC to women in border communities forms part of the Commission’s efforts to facilitate the movement of women involved in economic activities across the sub-region and to reduce administrative constraints faced by vulnerable populations due to limited access and a lack of awareness of the ECOWAS travel instruments.

Speaking on behalf of the Bissau-Guinean government, the Governor of Cacheu, Her Excellency Honorina Vasconcelos, in her address, expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Commission for selecting the São Domingos border community as a beneficiary of the pilot phase of this project. In her remarks, she also reaffirmed the Bissau-Guinean government’s commitment to advancing regional integration and free movement across the ECOWAS region.

The Governor of Ziguinchor, Mr. Mor Talla Tine, speaking on behalf of the Senegalese government, commended the initiative and emphasized the need to transform border communities into hubs of economic opportunity while strengthening measures to address security threats and cross-border crime. He noted that approximately 100 women cross the Mpack/São Domingos border daily without adequate knowledge of the required, valid travel documents, underscoring the need for broader community sensitization.

On behalf of the ECOWAS Director of Free Movement of Persons, Migration, and Tourism, Mr. Obinna Ajugwo reaffirmed that free movement remains a central pillar of regional integration and emphasized that the initiative demonstrates that ECOWAS is moving from vision to action, accelerating the delivery of free movement and regional integration for all Community Citizens. He also highlighted some of the benefits of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) and underscored its critical role in strengthening security while facilitating cross-border travel.

The event culminated in the presentation of the ENBIC to 262 women traders, which was met with visible enthusiasm and appreciation from the beneficiaries.

The event underscores the continued efforts of the ECOWAS and its partners to strengthen border management systems and migration governance, while advancing the free movement of persons within the region.