CNSS “Biosecu” – online facial-recognition proof-of-life for pensioners

Overview

The Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS) of Togo launched Biosecu, a web-based application that uses facial recognition technology to verify the physical existence of pensioners and annuitants — a process known as 'contrôle de vie' (proof of life). According to the official République Togolaise government portal, the CNSS introduced Biosecu as an innovation to facilitate administrative procedures for beneficiaries residing both within Togo and abroad, enabling them to complete the proof-of-life verification remotely using facial recognition technology rather than appearing in person.

The facial recognition system works by comparing a beneficiary's face, captured via the web application, against the biometric photograph held in the CNSS Togo database. As the CNSS explained, 'facial recognition allows us to confirm that your face perfectly matches the picture available in CNSS Togo's biometric database' (Togo First, 2023). The system is designed both to streamline the verification process for beneficiaries and to combat fraud by ensuring that only living, verified individuals continue to receive pension and annuity payments (We Are Tech Africa, 2022).

Prior to the introduction of Biosecu, pensioners and annuitants were required to physically present themselves at CNSS agencies twice a year to confirm their identity before receiving their payments (Togo First, 2023). This in-person verification requirement was suspended in 2020 in compliance with the restrictive barrier measures enacted by the Togolese government to contain the spread of Covid-19. The verification process subsequently resumed from 16 August 2022, with the first campaign running until 31 December 2022 for the payment of pensions and annuities for the first half of 2023.

The CNSS Director General, Ingrid Awade, issued a statement confirming the enforcement mechanism accompanying the system: 'Payment of dues to beneficiaries who will not perform the said operation will be suspended from January 1, 2023, in accordance with the regulatory provisions of the Social Security Code' (Togo First, 2023). This enforcement provision means that non-completion of the facial recognition-based proof-of-life verification directly results in the suspension of benefit payments, making the system a high-stakes automated process for beneficiaries.

Biosecu operates at a national scale, serving all CNSS pensioners and annuitants both within Togo and in the Togolese diaspora abroad. The system allows non-resident beneficiaries to complete the mandatory verification remotely, eliminating the need to travel to Togo or visit CNSS agencies in person (We Are Tech Africa, 2022; Togo First, 2023).

The launch of Biosecu is described as part of a broader digitalization programme undertaken by the CNSS. The institution is noted as a pioneer of digitalization in Togo, having been the first Togolese institution to adopt e-declaration (télédéclaration) and e-payment (télépaiement) systems (We Are Tech Africa, 2022; Togo First, 2023; République Togolaise, 2022). The facial recognition application represents a further extension of these digital reforms to the pension administration process, specifically targeting the verification step that ensures only living beneficiaries continue to receive payments.

No details are provided in the downloaded sources regarding the specific technology vendor, the underlying facial recognition algorithm, the hosting infrastructure, or the data protection measures in place. The sources also do not describe any manual review process, appeals mechanism, or human oversight protocol specific to cases where the facial recognition verification fails or produces inconclusive results. The absence of documented safeguards is notable given the high-stakes nature of the system, where verification failure leads directly to benefit suspension.

Classification

Programme Details

CNSS Biosecu is the proof-of-life verification system for the Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale pension and annuity programme in Togo. It enables remote facial recognition-based verification for pensioners and annuitants to maintain their benefit payments.

Implementation Details

Risk & Oversight

Deployment & Outcomes

Sources

1. SRC-001-TGO-002 République Togolaise (2022). La CNSS lance Biosécu, un système de reconnaissance faciale pour le contrôle de vie. Lomé: Portail Officiel du Togo. Available at: https://www.republiquetogolaise.com/services-publics/2208-7175-la-cnss-lance-biosecu-un-systeme-de-reconnaissance-faciale-pour-le-controle-de-vie (Accessed 23 Mar 2026).
   https://www.republiquetogolaise.com/services-publics/2208-7175-la-cnss-lance-biosecu-un-systeme-de-reconnaissance-faciale-pour-le-controle-de-vie
2. SRC-002-TGO-002 Togo First (2023). Togo: Social security fund launches app to help pensioners and annuitants get their dues more easily. Lomé: Togo First. Available at: https://www.togofirst.com/en/public-services/2308-10466-togo-social-security-fund-launches-app-to-help-pensioners-and-annuitants-get-their-dues-more-easily (Accessed 23 Mar 2026).
   https://www.togofirst.com/en/public-services/2308-10466-togo-social-security-fund-launches-app-to-help-pensioners-and-annuitants-get-their-dues-more-easily
3. SRC-003-TGO-002 We Are Tech Africa (2022). Togo: CNSS launches facial recognition platform to confirm beneficiaries' identities remotely. We Are Tech Africa. Available at: https://www.wearetech.africa/en/fils-uk/news/tech/togo-cnss-launches-facial-recognition-platform-to-confirm-beneficiaries-identities-remotely (Accessed 23 Mar 2026).
   https://www.wearetech.africa/en/fils-uk/news/tech/togo-cnss-launches-facial-recognition-platform-to-confirm-beneficiaries-identities-remotely