Another African country has begun a SIM card registration scheme. More accurately, Mauritius is bringing in registration for new cards and re-registration for existing cards.
The aim of the exercise, according to the government, is to ensure that every SIM card subscriber has their SIM card duly registered under their identity. There does not, however, appear to be a limitation on the number of SIM cards a person can register, though each one needs to be registered with its respective service provider.
The ruling applies to anyone purchasing a SIM card from local service providers, including citizens, non-citizens residing in Mauritius, public bodies, corporate bodies, companies, diplomatic missions or any other organisation and tourists visiting the Republic of Mauritius.
Registration is done by the service provider at the time of purchase of a new SIM card. For SIM card re-registration by contrast, a service provider collects, verifies and records information of existing holders/users of SIM cards. This can be done either by visiting service provider showrooms or online.
The process begins on 31 October 2023 and ends on 30 April 2024. The service provider is obliged to deactivate any unregistered SIM card after the latter date.
Is a late April cut-off date realistic? Other countries on the African content, notably Ghana and Nigeria, have not found keeping to SIM registration deadlines easy. However, Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, only has a population of 1.2 million, which might make the task less difficult.