In a development watched closely by French security-tech firms, Mali has rolled out a new E-AES biometric passport produced by Chinese supplier Emptech, replacing long-time contractor Idemia of France. The launch ceremony in Bamako on 27 October 2025 was presided over by Mali’s interim president, Colonel Assimi Goïta, and the Minister of Security, General Daoud Aly Mohammedine.
The switch comes amid strained Franco-Malian relations and follows the withdrawal of French troops from the Sahel in 2024. For Idemia, a global leader in identity solutions headquartered in Courbevoie, the loss underscores the geopolitical headwinds confronting French technology exports in West Africa. The company has supplied secure travel documents to more than 50 countries and had counted the Malian contract as a flagship reference on the continent.
From a mobility standpoint, the new passport design aligns with ECOWAS standards and features upgraded chips capable of storing extended biometric templates, which could accelerate e-gate adoption at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle once bilateral trust-lists are updated. However, French consular officials told industry newsletter Visas & Borders that all Malian nationals applying for French visas will be required to present the new booklet starting 1 December 2025, even if their current passport is still valid—a move likely to generate a short-term renewal rush at Bamako’s passport centre and French visa-application partner TLScontact.
HR teams managing assignees in Mali should verify that existing residence permits match the new passport number sequencing to avoid exit-permit mismatches. Meanwhile, French export-credit agencies may reassess risk models for state-ID contracts in the region as China gains market share.
Longer term, the episode illustrates the strategic coupling of mobility infrastructure and diplomatic influence. As the EU finalises its common visa policy for AES (Alliance des États du Sahel) nationals, France will need to balance security concerns with labour-market demand for Francophone engineers and healthcare workers.
The switch comes amid strained Franco-Malian relations and follows the withdrawal of French troops from the Sahel in 2024. For Idemia, a global leader in identity solutions headquartered in Courbevoie, the loss underscores the geopolitical headwinds confronting French technology exports in West Africa. The company has supplied secure travel documents to more than 50 countries and had counted the Malian contract as a flagship reference on the continent.
From a mobility standpoint, the new passport design aligns with ECOWAS standards and features upgraded chips capable of storing extended biometric templates, which could accelerate e-gate adoption at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle once bilateral trust-lists are updated. However, French consular officials told industry newsletter Visas & Borders that all Malian nationals applying for French visas will be required to present the new booklet starting 1 December 2025, even if their current passport is still valid—a move likely to generate a short-term renewal rush at Bamako’s passport centre and French visa-application partner TLScontact.
HR teams managing assignees in Mali should verify that existing residence permits match the new passport number sequencing to avoid exit-permit mismatches. Meanwhile, French export-credit agencies may reassess risk models for state-ID contracts in the region as China gains market share.
Longer term, the episode illustrates the strategic coupling of mobility infrastructure and diplomatic influence. As the EU finalises its common visa policy for AES (Alliance des États du Sahel) nationals, France will need to balance security concerns with labour-market demand for Francophone engineers and healthcare workers.
