Malawi Sets 2026 Target for Nationwide Digital ID Rollout to Boost Service Access
The new digital ID system aims to simplify access to government services by enabling efficient identity verification, primarily through mobile phones.
Malawi is set to implement a nationwide digital identification system by 2026, following a successful pilot program. The initiative is spearheaded by the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and was recently announced at the ID4Africa Annual General Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The new digital ID system aims to simplify access to government services by enabling efficient identity verification, primarily through mobile phones. Officials believe this approach will improve service delivery and foster greater financial inclusion by making it easier for citizens to access banking and other vital services.
Mbawaka Mwakhwawa, acting Chief Registration Officer at the NRB, highlighted the growing use of smartphones in Malawi as a key factor in leveraging mobile technology for identity verification. He explained that this innovation will revolutionize how citizens engage with healthcare providers, financial institutions, and other services, while also lowering the costs associated with producing physical ID cards.
The government emphasized that the digital ID project aligns with the objectives of ID4Africa, a continent-wide initiative designed to help African nations establish secure, inclusive identity systems that support both development and humanitarian efforts.
