Digital ID systems in Africa: A dream of inclusion or a threat to privacy?
Published: 21/Apr/2025
Source: Global Voices
It’s important that individuals understand their rights and responsibilities in the digital age
by Cecilia Maundu
Across Africa, governments are rapidly rolling out digital ID systems to improve service delivery, foster economic inclusion, and enhance security. From Kenya’s Maisha Namba to Nigeria’s National Identification Number (NIN), millions use these programs for healthcare, education, and finance. However, an estimated 500 million Africans still lack legal identification.
The African Union (AU) has positioned digital identification as a key component of its Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030), aiming to provide a unique digital identity to every African by 2030. These initiatives aim to unlock economic opportunities and enhance governance efficiency, including seamless border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Despite these promises, concerns over privacy, security, and exclusion are growing. Critics, including Privacy International and Access Now, have raised alarm over the risks posed by poorly regulated digital ID systems. They caution, “Without strong safeguards, Africa’s digital ID dream risks becoming a surveillance nightmare.” Data breaches and inadequate legal frameworks further raise questions about whether these programs empower citizens or expose them to new vulnerabilities.
As digital IDs gain traction, the debate continues: Are they an essential tool for Africa’s progress, or a significant threat to privacy and civil liberties?
Read further: https://advox.globalvoices.org/2025/04/21/digital-id-systems-in-africa-a-dream-of-inclusion-or-a-threat-to-privacy/