Ministry eyes mid-2026 e-ID launch, seeks public input
The home affairs ministry is encouraging members of the public and experts to contribute to the development of electronic identity documents (e-IDs), which the ministry aims to roll out by mid-2026.
This type of technology is not yet available to the public and is still in its infancy. However, Festus Abiator, a control administrative officer at the ministry, explained that an e-ID is an identity card containing a technological chip that can be scanned. A fingerprint is then used to verify that the individual is indeed the person shown on the ID.
"At a later stage, we can look into expanding the technology to include other services, such as healthcare," he told this publication last week after the ministry launched its e-IDs awareness campaign.
Abiator is, however, aware of the potential challenges this technology may bring. “Every type of technology has its pros and cons, but with an e-ID, we are striving for efficient service delivery,” he explained during the ministry’s event, which invited members of the public to obtain “clear, transparent answers”.
He added that this type of technology can be expanded in various directions, depending on public demand.
Less paperwork
Home affairs minister Lucia Iipumbu noted that with an e-ID, citizens would no longer need to carry multiple photocopies of their identity documents when accessing government services.
“These days, you need twenty copies of your ID: when going to NaTIS, registering your marriage, your child’s birth, or enrolling at schools... With an e-ID, it will no longer be necessary to carry all those copies. And if you try to dodge a fine, we’ll find you,” she joked.
Iipumbu further noted that the event, which was described as an informal 'unconference', reflected the ethos of the new administration.
“The new government is not business as usual... This 'unconference' approach shows that we must be interactive, participatory and engaging, which means I’m not going to come here and preach at you as the minister without hearing from you. We are here to share ideas and interact so that when we roll out the e-ID by mid-next year, we’ll all be on board,” she said.
Suggestions can be sent to [email protected]
– [email protected]
This type of technology is not yet available to the public and is still in its infancy. However, Festus Abiator, a control administrative officer at the ministry, explained that an e-ID is an identity card containing a technological chip that can be scanned. A fingerprint is then used to verify that the individual is indeed the person shown on the ID.
"At a later stage, we can look into expanding the technology to include other services, such as healthcare," he told this publication last week after the ministry launched its e-IDs awareness campaign.
Abiator is, however, aware of the potential challenges this technology may bring. “Every type of technology has its pros and cons, but with an e-ID, we are striving for efficient service delivery,” he explained during the ministry’s event, which invited members of the public to obtain “clear, transparent answers”.
He added that this type of technology can be expanded in various directions, depending on public demand.
Less paperwork
Home affairs minister Lucia Iipumbu noted that with an e-ID, citizens would no longer need to carry multiple photocopies of their identity documents when accessing government services.
“These days, you need twenty copies of your ID: when going to NaTIS, registering your marriage, your child’s birth, or enrolling at schools... With an e-ID, it will no longer be necessary to carry all those copies. And if you try to dodge a fine, we’ll find you,” she joked.
Iipumbu further noted that the event, which was described as an informal 'unconference', reflected the ethos of the new administration.
“The new government is not business as usual... This 'unconference' approach shows that we must be interactive, participatory and engaging, which means I’m not going to come here and preach at you as the minister without hearing from you. We are here to share ideas and interact so that when we roll out the e-ID by mid-next year, we’ll all be on board,” she said.
Suggestions can be sent to [email protected]
– [email protected]
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