Gambia launches automated fingerprint system to strengthen criminal investigations

The Gambia has officially launched an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), a major step aimed at strengthening criminal investigations, improving forensic capacity, and deepening regional security cooperation.

The system was launched on April 28, 2026, during a ceremony attended by national authorities, including the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Justice, and key international partners. The event also marked the inauguration of the renovated Criminal Records Office of the Technical and Scientific Police.
The initiative falls under the WAPIS Programme — the West African Police Information System — implemented by INTERPOL and supported by ECOWAS and the European Union.
Speaking at the launch, Raphaël Brigandi,

Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union to The Gambia, said the system forms part of a broader regional effort to strengthen crime-fighting tools while respecting legal safeguards.
“The European Union, as the major donor, is actively supporting the deployment of AFIS across West Africa and in The Gambia. The objective is to strengthen the fight against crime, in full respect of human rights and data protection standards.”

He also highlighted the expected operational benefits of the new technology.

“With AFIS, investigations in The Gambia will become faster and more reliable. This is a concrete investment in the security sector that will reinforce public trust.”

The launch is significant because fingerprint identification remains one of the most widely used and dependable tools in modern criminal investigation. By automating the process, authorities can compare prints more quickly, reduce delays in casework, and improve the accuracy of identification.

For The Gambia, the new system could help strengthen not only criminal investigations, but also the institutional credibility of forensic work. In many justice systems, public trust depends not simply on arrests or prosecutions, but on whether investigations are evidence-based, professional, and reliable.

The emphasis on human rights and data protection is also important. Security technology can be a powerful tool, but its legitimacy depends on how responsibly it is used. In that sense, the launch of AFIS carries a dual obligation: to improve efficiency in fighting crime while ensuring that privacy, due process, and lawful handling of personal data remain protected.

More broadly, the development reflects a regional understanding that crime prevention and investigation increasingly require shared systems, technical modernization, and cross-border cooperation. Through WAPIS, countries in West Africa are being encouraged to build stronger information systems that can improve coordination against transnational threats while supporting domestic justice institutions.

For The Gambia, the success of AFIS will ultimately be measured not only by the technology itself, but by whether it helps create a more professional, trusted, and accountable criminal investigation system.