tl;dr
Governments of Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda are advancing digital identity initiatives to support their growing digital economies. Papua New Guinea has introduced a Draft Digital ID Policy to unify digital identity for its 10.8 million citizens, focusing on inclusion, interop...
Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda are spearheading digital ID initiatives to enhance their digital economies and improve access to public services. Papua New Guinea has introduced a Draft Digital ID Policy aimed at inclusion, interoperability, and privacy. Supporting over 800 languages, the policy integrates IDs into a digital ecosystem through SevisPass, with a phased rollout planned over the next 18 months.
Guinea-Bissau is modernizing its national ID and birth registration system by launching the Integrated System of Citizen Registers and Statistics (SIREC). This initiative intends to link civil registration with health and education services despite facing challenges such as limited funding and inadequate internet access. The country already uses a biometric ID card system upgraded to regional ECOWAS standards, which this new initiative seeks to expand.
Liberia is grappling with funding shortages that restrict the number of digital ID enrollment centers. This scarcity has led to overwhelming demand, particularly in remote areas like Nimba County, limiting residents’ ability to access digital services. Despite these hurdles, support from international organizations is helping to push these efforts forward.
These digital identity programs are foundational for participating fully in the growing digital economy. They aim to increase public service efficiency, foster citizen participation, and ensure no population segment is excluded. Overall, the advances in digital IDs across these nations reflect a broader global push toward interconnected, accessible, and secure digital identities that serve as gateways to wider economic and social opportunities.