The National Lottery of Côte d’Ivoire (LONACI) and its foundation announced the donation of two checks totaling ten million CFA francs to the National Office of Civil Status and Identification (ONECI).

This funding will enable 2,000 people with disabilities to obtain their National Identification Card (CNI), a vital document for citizenship.

Dramane Coulibaly, General Manager of LONACI and Chairman of the Lonaci Foundation, emphasized that this initiative is “not charity” but rather “an investment in equal opportunities.”

By covering the costs of obtaining CNIs for these beneficiaries, LONACI aims to ensure that “no one is left behind” in a society where the lack of identification often disenfranchises citizens from their fundamental rights.

The initiative goes beyond merely issuing an administrative document. The identity card is essential for accessing various social services, securing formal employment, and participating in upcoming elections. “This document is not just a piece of plastic; it is the key to administrative existence,” insisted Coulibaly.

LONACI’s gesture is part of a broader commitment to social responsibility. The foundation has been actively involved in health, education, and inclusion initiatives for several years.

By focusing on disability, the company underscores that full citizenship can only be achieved if everyone, regardless of physical ability, can identify with the national project.

This initiative also serves a political purpose by enhancing the democratic participation of often marginalized groups. “Disability is not an inability to contribute to society,” Coulibaly stated, urging collective action to “remove the barriers” that hinder individuals from realizing their potential.

Through this partnership, ONECI has gained a strategic ally in its mission to expand identification. For LONACI, this effort reinforces its identity as a socially responsible enterprise, transcending its commercial activities. “You matter, your voice matters, your future matters,” is the clear message that resonates from this initiative.