• Mali now allows citizens to request criminal records and nationality certificates online.

• The government launched two dedicated portals developed by AGETIC and the Ministry of Justice.

• Mali ranks 173rd out of 193 countries in the UN’s 2024 e-Government Development Index.

Alhamdou Ag Ilyène, Minister of Communication, Digital Economy and Administrative Modernization, and Mamoudou Kassogué, Minister of Justice and Human Rights, officially launched the online issuance system on February 10. The reform allows citizens to submit applications and receive both documents through digital platforms without physical travel.

Authorities made the services available via two separate government portals: casiercasier.gouv.ml for criminal records and nationalitenationalite.gouv.ml for nationality certificates. Users can file requests and track application progress online.

The government developed the platform through collaboration between the Ministry in charge of Digital Affairs and Agence des technologies de l’information et de la communication (AGETIC), in partnership with the Ministry of Justice.

The initiative forms part of a broader digital rollout across government services. Authorities recently introduced additional digital solutions at the Prime Minister’s Office in the transport, health and territorial administration sectors. These measures complement existing systems, including online services for Malians in the diaspora seeking administrative documents, computerized judicial case management tools and ongoing consular service digitization projects.

However, Mali continues to face structural challenges in digital governance. According to the United Nations 2024 e-Government Development Index, the country scored 0.3005 out of 1, ranking 173rd among 193 states. The score remains below the African average of 0.4247, reflecting progress in online service delivery but persistent gaps in infrastructure and digital skills.

The dematerialization of criminal record and nationality certificate services expands Mali’s online public service portfolio. Yet authorities must address cybersecurity risks, personal data protection concerns and limited digital adoption, particularly in rural areas where connectivity and access remain uneven.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya 

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum