Why is digital ID being pushed?

Given the EU’s digital identity wallet advancements and discussion of mandatory digital IDs for work in the UK, Africa’s experience shows a mixed model. Many African digital ID initiatives are designed to be useful for services, not as tools of compulsion (or at least officially so). Phase‑in and optional early adoption are standard to avoid excluding people.

Digital identity systems are gaining momentum in Africa because they promise significant gains: financial inclusion, streamlined public services, and better governance. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), fully implementing digital ID programs could unlock economic value equivalent to 3‑13% of GDP by 2030 in various countries.

Legal identity is also seen as foundational: without it, many people cannot access banking, health services, education, or government assistance. Civil registration and digital identity systems have become key to overcoming exclusion.

Key examples and developments

Kenya:
Kenya is piloting a new digital ID card called the Maisha Card. The plan includes issuing a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI), or Maisha Namba, which will be assigned from birth (on birth certificates), and later used in place of current IDs. The pilot phase started in November 2023 for people turning 18; over 700,000 of these Maisha IDs have reportedly already been issued. The government has emphasised that the Maisha Card is “not mandatory” and that current IDs will continue to be accepted during a phase‑in period. Also, Kenya has recently introduced a digital birth registration system, in cooperation with Estonia, so children born in hospitals can be registered immediately via digital systems.

Mauritania:
Since 2020, Mauritania has implemented a new national ID system. More than 94% of the population has a national ID under this system. The country has also launched a digital government platform, Houwiyeti, which allows citizens to access many services without needing to visit government offices physically.

Ethiopia:
Ethiopia’s National Digital Identity Programme (NDIP) is moving forward with Fayda ID. Over 1.4 million people had registered by late 2023. “Kebele IDs” (local administrative IDs) have long been used, but the new systems aim to strengthen legal identity, digital functions, verification, and integration with service delivery.

South Africa:
South Africa is on a roadmap to implement a “single digital ID system”, consolidating various identity functions (Home Affairs, public service, etc.) and integrating them with digital and mobile platforms. The system is intended to support access to a wide range of public services, some of which will be available via a mobile app (Mzansi app), by 2028/2029.

The UNECA is supporting digital ID work and interoperable frameworks in several countries (Botswana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, The Gambia, Togo, Zimbabwe). There are also private and business‑led initiatives, such as Smile ID (Pan‑Africa identity verification), which are platforms that verify identities for finance or trade.

Challenges and considerations

• Privacy, data security, and control: As systems collect more biometric and personal data, concerns grow about how securely data is stored, who controls access, and potential misuse or surveillance.
• Inclusion and exclusion risks: Marginalised communities (rural, minority groups, non‑documented people) may struggle to meet requirements for identity documents, risk being left out if digital verification or registration is hard to access.
• Infrastructure issues: Reliable internet, digital literacy, trust in government systems, and consistent legal frameworks are not uniformly present.
• Mandatoriness vs voluntary: In Kenya’s case, the government has said the Maisha Card “will not be mandatory”. ([allAfrica.com][6]) Phase‑in periods and transition are major parts of implementation to avoid disruption.

Conclusion

Digital identity systems are advancing rapidly in Africa. The region illustrates both the promise and peril of such systems, improving inclusion, access to services, and economic participation, while also raising serious questions around rights, privacy, and equitable access.

Africa’s evolving digital ID landscape reinforces Bumuntu.org’s mission of justice, dignity, and digital freedom by underscoring the need for strong legal safeguards around privacy, data control, and non-exclusion. Transparent governance, clear accountability over data use, and meaningful public consultation are essential to ensure these systems empower citizens rather than control them.

Africa’s digital ID journey offers lessons that are highly relevant to EU/UK debates: what rules, oversight, and civic participation need to accompany technological infrastructure to ensure identity does not morph into compelled compliance.