Plan is working to improve civil registration in Africa

Over 40 Ministers responsible for civil registration met in Ethiopia for the first African Conference on Civil Registration on August 13-14. African officials and NGO representatives including Plan staff were brought together by the African Development Bank, the African Union Commission and the United Nations to talk about how to increase civil registration in their respective countries and what benefits this could have.

The conference was preceded by a three-day preparatory meeting of experts to determine the best ways for registration to advance in Africa. The expert group recommended abolishing fees for first time registrations. “Free registration and certificates are integral to universal civil registration”, said Hellen Tombo from Plan East Africa. Plan’s expertise and role as a key partner in registration work was acknowledged by many countries. 

The conference stressed that countries should involve traditional leaders and existing structures in the registration process. In addition, civil registration offices should be made easily reachable in remote villages and displaced persons camps. 

Officials acknowledged that their civil registration and vital statistics systems in the region are inadequate and incomplete, and are willing to take big steps to ensure total registration as it ultimately benefits their countries, in particular to fight child trafficking.