New Report Provides Comprehensive Overview of Digital-ID Systems Across Africa
The synthesis draws on ten country case studies conducted by African researchers, covering Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Senegal, and Tunisia.
A new report coordinated by the African Digital Rights Network (ADRN) in collaboration with Paradigm Initiative provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of digital identification (digital-ID) systems across Africa. The synthesis draws on ten country case studies conducted by African researchers, covering Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Senegal, and Tunisia.
Each country report offers detailed documentation of the evolution and key characteristics of its digital-ID system, outlining milestones in system development and capturing the unique features of each national program. The research systematically evaluates digital-ID systems against 15 assessment criteria derived from the Framework for Evaluation of Digital Identity developed by the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS).
The report emphasizes critical governance challenges, including legal frameworks, data protection, inclusivity, accountability, and transparency, highlighting areas where systems risk excluding citizens or enabling misuse of personal data. Each case study concludes with actionable recommendations for policy makers, implementers, and researchers to guide responsible deployment, strengthen governance, and ensure inclusive access to digital-ID systems.
This synthesis provides policymakers, civil society, and stakeholders with a continent-wide perspective on the opportunities, risks, and governance considerations associated with digital-ID programs, positioning it as an essential reference for advancing equitable and secure digital identification in Africa.
