Nairobi — A continental gathering that showcases the latest innovations in digital registration technology kicked off in Nairobi today with Kenya committing to reintroduce smart cards by September.
Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has called for peer-to-peer knowledge sharing to build credible cradle-to-grave digital ID databases in Africa.
Speaking at the 7th ID4Africa 2023 Augmented General Meeting (AGM) in Nairobi on Tuesday, Bitok highlighted the need for African countries to reflect on shared experiences, challenges, and opportunities in the field of identity management.
The Immigration PS said that forums like ID4Africa also provide opportunities to explore the socio-economic opportunities presented by technology and investments in Identity systems.
"Indeed, Africa, stands to reap immense benefits from more and not less of cross border movements of its inhabitants. Credible and friendly identity systems are known to facilitate easier regional and international movement," Bitok said during the event that brought nearly 2,000 delegates drawn from 90 countries.
PS Bitok further expressed Kenya's commitment to reintroducing smart cards by September this year.
He revealed that the government aims to roll out the Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) on September 16t, providing newborns in Kenya with a unique lifetime registration number.
The date coincides with the global date set aside to mark milestones in digital identity.
"As we reflect on UPI, we are very keen to identity September 16th as the day the government will be able to roll out some of the activities to support the UPI which will be the foundation for our smart identity," Bitok said.
He pointed out that the envisaged smart registration was intricately tied to the digitization of government services
Additionally, Bitok expressed the government's intention to expand the eCitizen platform, with the objective of making more than the initially targeted 5,000 digitalized services easily accessible.
To diversify revenue streams and minimise crime linked to identity-theft, the government will consolidate and digitalize existing registration databases under its custody and promote pay-to-access use by telecommunication firms and other businesses that rely on Know-Your-Customer (KYC) profiles.
Addressing the same forum, ICT, Communications and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo maintained that the government had no intention of reviving the Huduma Namba.
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He said that rather than reintroducing the smart card whose rollout was beset by legal and political challenges, the government will instead consult widely with stakeholders to arrive at a broadly acceptable and advanced ID.
"We will consider what works best for us a country while factoring in all available options through a consultative approach that addresses the concerns of many of our stakeholders," he said.
He said the government will provide the necessary policy and regulatory environment for technology and innovation companies to support its quest for smart registration.
The three-day ID4Africa conference brings together governments, public institutions, international agencies, the civil society in Africa and leading innovation and technology firms in the world to discuss and showcase trends in developments in the registration industry.
Broadcast PS Prof Edward Kisiangani and the Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait were also in attendance at the meeting that has brought together at least 25 ministers, secretaries and high-ranking diplomats.
