Gaster, P., & Martins, I. (2021). Digital Identity in Mozambique: Case study conducted as part of a ten-country exploration of socio-digital ID systems in parts of Africa<\/i> (Towards the Evaluation of Digital ID Ecosystems in Africa: Findings from Ten Countries) [Case study]. Research ICT Africa (RIA).<\/p>\n
This study assesses the current stage of implementation of initiatives <\/span>related to digital identity in Mozambique. It forms part of the Research ICT <\/span>Africa project, in partnership with the Centre for Internet and Society, to <\/span>assess the stage of digital identity in Africa, through comparative studies <\/span>from 10 countries.<\/span><\/p>\n The study was carried out based on the aspects addressed in the <\/span>Evaluation Framework developed by the Centre for Internet and Society, <\/span>which provides for the analysis of three distinct areas: rule of law tests, <\/span>rights-based tests and risk-based tests. The methodology included a <\/span>review of the existing bibliography in Mozambique related to the digital <\/span>identification of citizens and other associated digital initiatives; interviews <\/span>with relevant institutions and\/or personalities who work or have worked in <\/span>the area to understand both the current situation and the perspectives and <\/span>challenges that lie ahead; and the application of the evaluation framework.<\/span><\/p>\n During the research, it was found that although existing legislation includes <\/span>references to a national integrated digital identification system, in practice <\/span>different sectors have moved ahead with independent digital systems to <\/span>meet sectoral needs, and there is limited coordination between them. For <\/span>example, separate systems exist for the registration of births, the issuing <\/span>of adult identity cards, the issuing of passports and social security. Of the <\/span>researched software, the Electronic System of Civil Registration and Vital <\/span>Statistics was selected for the purposes of this study as it is a system <\/span>that is already in operation at national level and which is intended to be <\/span>the starting point for a future foundational system of digital identity in <\/span>Mozambique.<\/span><\/p>\n The Electronic System of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics is <\/span>implemented by the Ministry of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs <\/span>through the National Directorate of Registries and Notaries and aims to <\/span>register all the facts that form part of citizens\u2019 lives, with emphasis on the <\/span>issue of birth and death certificates. Other aspects are still to be added as <\/span>the system develops.<\/span><\/p>\n The study takes into account the Mozambican social, demographic and <\/span>geographic context, which offers many challenges to the nationwide <\/span>implementation of digital systems. A challenge of particular interest is <\/span>physical internet access and the respective costs, as 65% of the population <\/span>lives and works in rural areas.<\/span><\/p>\n