Rwanda Begins Nationwide Digital ID Registration, Biometric Capture Set for September
The initiative is part of Rwanda’s drive to modernise its identification system, with issuance of the new digital ID cards expected to begin in June 2026.
The National Identification Agency (NIDA ) has launched a nationwide registration campaign for Rwanda’s upcoming digital ID, which began on August 7. Supported by Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) and launched during the 28th Rwanda International Trade Fair, the campaign is a key component of the country’s broader digital transformation efforts. The biometric data collection phase is scheduled to commence in mid-September 2025, according to NIDA Director General Josephine Mukesha.
The initiative is part of Rwanda’s drive to modernise its identification system, with issuance of the new digital ID cards expected to begin in June 2026. The new digital ID, which is a core project of the Rwanda Digital Acceleration initiative, will be available as both a physical card and a digital version. It will be linked to a lifelong authentication number and is intended to provide citizens with faster, paperless access to various services, from banking to government programs.
A key feature of this new ID is its privacy-first approach, which allows users to have full control over their personal information. The system will enable citizens to choose what data to share, when to share it, and even to stop sharing it entirely. This focus on user privacy is a significant step that could set a new standard for Africa’s digital future.
