Mauritanian citizens can now obtain their criminal records online, marking a significant step in the country’s digital transformation efforts. The government announced the new service on Friday, March 28, as part of its initiative to streamline administrative procedures, accelerate processing times, and enhance judicial transparency.
According to the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Administrative Modernization, citizens can access the service through the Houwiyeti app and the Khidmati portal, both available for download on the Play Store and App Store. “The Khidmati portal allows users to securely access digitized public services and complete procedures online from any smartphone or computer available in the Mauritanian market,” the ministry stated.
This initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to modernize public administration through digitalization. On March 27, authorities launched a digital platform to facilitate the registration and management of political parties, further expanding the country’s digital governance capabilities. A day earlier, officials engaged with stakeholders in the insurance sector to integrate their services into the evolving national digital services platform.
To support these digital advancements, the government introduced the “Digital-Y” project in January, a €4 million (approximately $4.3 million) initiative in collaboration with German cooperation. The project aims to integrate digital tools into public administration, fostering transparency and driving economic and social development.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Limited digital literacy, along with restricted access to the internet and digital devices, could hinder adoption. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), approximately 55.6% of Mauritania’s 5 million citizens did not use the internet in 2023, underscoring the need for broader digital inclusion measures.
