Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day, which is celebrated annually, marks a pivotal moment for reflection, collaboration and action towards strengthening civil registration and vital statistics systems across Africa, especially as the continent strives to accelerate progress in meeting the commitments made under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to achieving universal legal identity.
The theme chosen for this year’s celebration, “Strengthening the linkage of civil registration and vital statistics to legal identity systems through digitalization for enhanced inclusion”, serves as a rallying call that emphasizes the pivotal role of digital integration in harmonizing civil registration and vital statistics systems with legal identity structures. Such harmonization is essential for promoting effective governance and societal development, protecting individual rights, ensuring efficient service delivery, reducing fraud and facilitating cross-border recognition. It forms the backbone of a transparent, accountable and inclusive governance framework that benefits individuals, communities and societies.