Semlex Group, founded in 1992, produces documents and devices for secure identification and offers corresponding services. It is owned and operated by Belgian-Syrian businessman Albert Karaziwan.[1]
It prints the passports of several African and Asian countries, including Azerbaijan, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar and Moldova.[2][3][4] Semlex and Karaziwan have been accused of corruption in issuing IDs, gaining contracts through political connections and charging excessive amounts for production of each document to pay off officials.[5][6][7]
In 2019, Semlex was awarded the contract to produce national identity cards in Côte d’Ivoire.[8] Semlex reports financing projects in the field of education, notably in the Comoros and Côte d’Ivoire.[9][10]
References
- ^ “How to make millions selling passports to Africa”. Reuters. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
- ^ PassportIndex (2017-06-09). “Who Prints Your Passport? – Passport Index”. Discover Passport Index. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
- ^ “Biometric Bribery: Inside Semlex’s Global Playbook”. Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ “Biggest exporters, worst enforcers – Blog”. Transparency International. 16 Oct 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ “How to make millions selling passports to Africa”. Reuters. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
- ^ Mule, Tama (22 November 2018). “Passports to Riches: Semlex’s Dubious Dealings With African Governments – The Elephant”. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
- ^ “The Optimist Without Borders: Inside the Semlex CEO’s Empire of Influence”. OCCRP. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
- ^ “Côte d’Ivoire: le marché des cartes d’identité attribué à Semlex”. RFI (in French). 2019-04-14. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ Rédaction, La (2014-04-12). “Inauguration d’une station d’épuration et de traitement d’eau potable à Mohéli | Comores Infos” (in French). Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ “Nous finançons des projets éducatifs afin de réduire les inégalités”. Semlex For Education (in French). Retrieved 2022-11-05.