Dubai, UAE, January 28, 2025 – Fed up with corruption, exorbitant fees, and extended closures at the Lebanese vehicle registration department (“Nafaa”)—which have forced many to drive without license plates—citizens across Lebanon have transformed their empty license plate holders into powerful symbols of protest. In a country lacking efficient public transport, cars are essential for daily survival; yet many drivers remain unable to register their vehicles, risking hefty fines and impoundment at checkpoints.
Introducing: The Unlicensed Protest—a citizens’ movement launched in collaboration with Transparency International Lebanon to compel government bodies like “Nafaa” to resume operations transparently and efficiently. Rather than using standard license plates, protesters display messages such as “Bring back the state,” “Until the thievery stops,” and “Until Nafaa employees get back to work.” By refusing to allow corruption to immobilize vital public services any longer, this initiative exemplifies a collective stance against systemic failings.
“This campaign sends a powerful message: citizens are not just passive recipients of government services; they are active participants in demanding and creating transparency,” said Julien Courson, Executive Director at Transparency International Lebanon. “We call on public officials to act on these calls for reform and restore trust in Lebanon’s institutions.”
As part of the movement, car convoys rolled down major highways from the country’s northern to southern regions, voicing public frustration with widespread inefficiency and corruption. By taking to the streets in unity, protesters aimed not only to reignite dialogue around systemic reform but also to encourage renewed adherence to lawful procedures—once the system itself is set right.
The “Unlicensed Protest” underscores an urgent national need: to restore functional, trustworthy government services. Organizers hope these efforts will spark long-overdue reforms in Lebanon, ensuring that every citizen has fair access to the vital institutions meant to serve them.
Video: https://youtu.be/XuBB5eJW4_M
Agency Credits:
Joe Lahham, TBWA\RAAD, Managing Director
Santiago Cuesta, TBWA\RAAD, Executive Creative Director
Georges Kyrillos, TBWA\RAAD, Executive Creative Director
Christopher Ghorayeb, TBWA\RAAD, Creative Director
Jad Chidiac TBWA\RAAD Senior Art Director
Hiba Shmaysani, TBWA\RAAD, Senior English Copywriter
Naya Kanaan, TBWA\RAAD, Junior Art Director
Catherine Bannister, TBWA\RAAD, Chief Strategy Officer
Dana Naja, TBWA\RAAD, Strategy Director
Romy Abdelnour, TBWA\RAAD, Head of Communications
Diana Georges, TBWA\RAAD, Regional Group Account Director
Georges Ghattas, TBWA\RAAD, Senior Account Executive
Lea Moufarrej, TBWA\RAAD, Corporate Communications Executive
About TBWA\RAAD:
TBWA\RAAD was established in the United Arab Emirates in 2000 to develop and expand TBWA Worldwide’s presence across the Middle East and Africa. We are The Disruption® Company, a collective of creative minds with an unlimited creative canvas. We use creativity to help businesses challenge the status quo and capture an unfair share of the future. Named one of the Middle East’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company Middle East in 2024, 2023 and 2019, one of the Best Workplaces for Women in the Middle East in 2024 by Fast Company Middle East, Adweek’s 2024, 2022, 2021 and 2018 Global Agency of the Year. We are a disruptive brand experience company that uses trademarked Disruption® methodologies to help businesses address their challenges and achieve transformative growth. Our collective is made up of passionate, dedicated individuals with expertise across the total brand experience — from retail to social and digital, from B2B to experiential, from innovation to production, from design to content. Our regional clients include: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office, Apple, AWR Rostomani Arabian Automobiles, CNN, Commercial Bank of Dubai, du, Essence, Gatorade, Henkel, Hilton, Infiniti, Johns Hopkins, KFC, Meta, NEOM, Nissan, Pfizer, Philips, Pladis. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter and like us on Facebook. TBWA is part of Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC).
About Transparency International – Lebanon
Transparency International Lebanon (TI-LB) is Lebanon’s leading advocate for transparency, accountability, and good governance. Since 1999, TI-LB has been on the front lines of the fight against corruption, working to strengthen institutional integrity across Lebanon’s public and private sectors. As the national chapter of Transparency International, we believe in more than just envisioning a corruption-free society—we are actively making it happen by driving change, empowering citizens, and holding institutions accountable.
With a people-centered approach, TI-LB tackles corruption from multiple angles, guided by a robust Impact Matrix that emphasizes three core areas: Policy & Institutional Change, Behavior Change, and Awareness & Outreach. We operate as a guiding thread and conveying channel between international organizations, civil society, and citizens, creating a chain of dialogue and collaboration that promotes a participative approach to anti-corruption efforts. This continuous exchange of information fosters transparency, ensures well-informed communities, and bridges gaps between global standards and local needs.
To achieve meaningful, lasting change, TI-LB builds robust, long-term partnerships with a network of dedicated national, local, and international organizations working across Lebanon. These partnerships enhance our strategic reach, propelling TI-LB to deliver anti-corruption initiatives that are both globally aligned and locally impactful. By combining international standards with deep community engagement, we ensure that our programs not only meet global benchmarks but are also highly responsive to Lebanon’s unique governance challenges and diverse community needs.