In Africa, digital identification is crucial for socioeconomic development. Many countries face challenges with financial inclusion and public service management, and are reforming their systems to provide citizens with secure, interoperable digital IDs.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is moving forward with plans for a national digital identification system. DRC Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs Augustin Kibassa Maliba met on Monday in Singapore with Soon Huat Lim, CEO of Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd., a Singaporean digital transformation company, to discuss the technical and operational aspects of deploying the system. The meeting is a key step before the anticipated signing of a collaboration agreement that will launch the project.

"We recognize that digital or electronic identification is one of the pillars of e-government," said Kibassa Maliba. "I took note of the CEO’s remarks about forming a commission to oversee the work since digital operations fall under the ministry’s responsibility. However, when it comes to identity, it is essential to involve other institutions so we can ensure a unified government vision for the development of the digital sector."

The initiative is part of the DRC's National Digital Plan Horizon 2025, reflecting President Félix Tshisekedi’s goal of making the DRC a leading digital player in Africa. The plan envisions digital technology as a driver of integration, good governance, economic growth, and social progress.

The Monday meeting follows a preliminary agreement signed in December between the DRC and Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd. That agreement established the groundwork for a partnership to develop and implement a platform for managing digital identities and citizen data.

Once operational, the DRC's system will join other African nations that have adopted or are developing digital identification frameworks, including Nigeria’s National Identity Management System (NIMS), Ghana’s National Identification Authority (NIA), and Rwanda’s e-ID system. These initiatives aim to improve public service efficiency, strengthen data security, enhance access to financial services, and promote digital and economic inclusion.

By Samira Njoya,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji