LocationsDigitalizing Birth Certificates: Where Technology Is Giving Every Child a Name and a Future
September 22, 2025
Photo: UNDP Cameroon UNDP CMR legal Identity Far North region of Cameroon
In the heart of Maroua, a quiet revolution is unfolding not just in administration, but in the lives of families who, for years, have struggled to access something as fundamental as a birth certificate. Thanks to the partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Civil Status Bureau (BUNEC), digitalization is transforming civil registration into a tool of empowerment and inclusion.
Photo: UNDP Cameroon UNDP CMR legal Identity Far North region of Cameroon Maroua 3 council. Hadidja Hassan , 3rd Deputy Mayor
“Cameroon is embracing digitalization to keep pace with modern technologies, and it’s a blessing for our council,” says Hadidja Hassan, the 3rd Deputy Mayor, her voice filled with pride and hope.
The journey began in 2020 under a legal identity initiative funded by the Republic of Japan, which equipped civil status centres (GAZAWA, KAELE, Maroua 1, Maroua 2, Mokolo, Tokombéré, and Touloum) with critical IT infrastructure—desktop computers, multifunction printers, biometric kits, and secure servers—enabling the production of digital civil status documents. But the real game-changer is the software system that now enables over 50,000 digital civil status documents to be produced across 26 centers.
Photo: UNDP Cameroon UNDP CMR legal Identity Far North region of Cameroon Maroua 3 council. Aissatou civil status registrar
Before the arrival of new machines, the process was labour-intensive and time-consuming. "Previously, we had to fill out nine different forms to produce one act; there were days I would fill forms until my hand would be vibrating alone," recalls Aissatou, the civil status secretary, painting a vivid picture of the past. Now, thanks to the digital tools, that arduous task has been strongly simplified. “I remember one woman who came with her baby to request a birth certificate. We asked her to wait just a few minutes before heading home, and she was visibly surprised. She kept saying thank you over and over. In the past, she had to submit the request and return days later to collect the document for her other children. She was so happy, told us she lives very far away, and the process used to be stressful and exhausting for her,” she affirms, highlighting the tangible benefits of the transition.
The speed and ease are undeniable; From January to March alone, 343 certificates were issued for births, marriages, and deaths, proof that the system is not only working but thriving. The Mayor’s consistent efforts to provide internet connectivity further ensure smooth operations, allowing the team to leverage the technology to its fullest.
Photo: UNDP Cameroon UNDP CMR legal Identity Far North region of Cameroon Maroua 3 council . Handing over of BC just issued
The impact extends far beyond the central office; seven secondary centers are now covered, five of which are in hospitals, bringing registration closer to families at the moment of birth. Even in areas with limited staff, like Dougoui, around seven registrations are completed each week. "The machine truly helps us, you cannot imagine", Aissatou reiterates, underscoring the invaluable role of the new equipment.
“I received my child’s birth certificate the same day I applied for it,” says Fatima, a mother of three from Dougoui. “It allowed me to enroll her in school on time. Before, we would wait for days and even months. This new system is a blessing for families like mine.”
Photo: UNDP Cameroon UNDP CMR legal Identity Far North region of Cameroon Maroua 3 council
However, this journey of progress is not without its challenges; there is a need for continued support and improvement. "To produce these birth certificates, you need to know how to use these tools, which isn't obvious because you need to be trained," Hadjidja Hassan points out, emphasizing the crucial need for ongoing training programs. There's also a call for increased vigilance during data entry, as "there's a small problem with data entry; we need to be vigilant." The demand for more resources is clear, with Hadjidja Hassan stating, "If possible, we need more machines, especially for the deputies for signing the acts. One person can't do it alone." The civil status secretary concurs, advocating for at least "five to six people to process these birth certificates with machines at their disposal" at the main office. While BUNEC provides steadfast technical assistance—"As soon as we have a problem, we call them, and they are here," Hadjidja confirms—the desire for a permanent, on-site technician is also voiced. Beyond the operational aspects, a significant hurdle lies in community engagement. "We also have the problem of parents who aren't conscious of coming to pick up the acts, and we always have to call them," explains Hadjidja Hassan. The civil status secretary adds, "It's fast now, but some parents don't know how to read, so we need patience and attention. It's a big job for the civil status to exercise this prudence and vigilance." Despite these challenges, the team remains deeply grateful for the support from the UNDP, BUNEC, and the Mayor. "We thank you very much," Hadjidja Hassan expresses, looking forward to future sensitization efforts to ensure parents understand the simplified process and retrieve their children's vital documents promptly. This ongoing commitment to innovation and community service is truly building a more responsive and efficient civil registration system in Maroua, fostering a better future for its residents.
“This is more than technology—it’s about dignity, identity, and inclusion.”
Photo: UNDP Cameroon UNDP CMR legal Identity Far North region of Cameroon Maroua 3 council
Photo: UNDP Cameroon UNDP CMR legal Identity Far North region of Cameroon Maroua 3 council
And the journey continues. As part of the Legal Identity and Social Cohesion Project, funded by the Government of Denmark, UNDP, and BUNEC, digitalisation is being expanded to ten more centres, including five in the Far North: Koza, Meri, Mindif, Maroua 3, and Mora. This 2024–2025 initiative includes updated software, backup power systems, and advanced training to ensure sustainability and broader access to legal identity services.
“We are proud to support the digitalisation of civil status services in Maroua 3,” says a UNDP staff member in charge of the project implementation. “This initiative is a step forward in ensuring every citizen has access to a legal identity. However, there is still a pressing need for more trained personnel, reliable internet connectivity, and additional equipment to meet the growing demand.”
In Maroua 3, every click, every certificate, every name recorded is a step toward a more just and inclusive society—where no child is invisible and every life is counted.
Photo: UNDP Cameroon UNDP CMR legal Identity Far North region of Cameroon Maroua 3 council
Photo: UNDP Cameroon UNDP CMR legal Identity Far North region of Cameroon Maroua 3 council