📋 Tender Overview
A Digital ID Interoperability for Africa Regional Consultative Workshop held from June 6th to 8th in Banjul Gambia concluded with a series of insightful discussions and recommendations aimed at realizing interoperability for Digital IDs and payment systems in Africa. Convened by The Gambias Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy and the Economic Commission for Africa ECA the workshop brought together government officials policymakers experts and stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities associated with digital ID development and management with a particular focus on achieving interoperability.We are looking at the socio-economic implications of digital identity emphasizing the need to harmonize our legal and technical regulations to foster cross-border data protection financial inclusion and cybersecurity said Mactar Seck Chief of Technology and Innovation Section at the ECA. Through national case studies and situation studies this regional consultative process aims to gather insights on technical and regulatory gaps to better identify opportunities for cross-border harmonization.According to the World Bank Groups 2018 ID4D Global Dataset an estimated one billion people worldwide including 470 million in Africa face challenges in proving their identity These challenges have significant socio-economic implications hindering access to essential services and financial inclusion.In his remarks Osman Bah from The Gambias Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy said.Digital ID is among the top priorities within our Ministrys digital transformation agenda to enhance security confidence and interoperability for cross-border payments.For her part Aissata De UNDP Resident Representative in The Gambia lauded the encouraging progress being made in the countrys Civil Registration and Vital Statistics CRVS initiative to improve population statistics reduce statelessness and enhance social protection.Case Studies were presented by representatives of seven African countries showcasing their ongoing efforts in implementing digital ID systems and providing recommendations to strengthen regulatory frameworks. The workshop stressed the urgency of addressing these gaps and emphasized the importance of harmonizing legal and technical regulations to foster cross-border data protection financial inclusion and cybersecurity.The workshop concluded with several key recommendations to advance digital ID and interoperability in Africa. These recommendations derived from insightful discussions among Member State representatives from Ministries of Interior immigration affairs Data Protection Commissions National ID programs and cybersecurity experts among others raised key challenges and opportunities associated with digital ID development and interoperability.Policy and Legal FrameworksParticipants emphasized the gaps in a comprehensive African-wide digital identity DI and interoperability framework as well as the absence of regulatory measures for cross-border enforcement. DID is not considered a public good resulting in insufficient attention from top leadership said a participant from the public service sector. To build confidence and trust in the DI and interoperability program it is essential to establish a legal instrument that designates an authority responsible for implementing regulatory frameworks prioritizing data protection privacy and security. Furthermore the need to integrate government and private sector identity systems into a comprehensive framework was highlighted to ensure access to digital ID systems establish connections with national authorities and standardize the legal framework for interoperability.CybersecurityThe workshop explored the nexus between cybersecurity artificial intelligence AI and digital ID systems in Africa. Participants recognized the need to strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration in these areas to encourage capacity building initiatives and research to enhance digital ID cybersecurity and AI in Africa. Research conducted by ECA has shown that robust cybersecurity directly supports economic development as there is a significant relation1ship between cybersecurity maturity and GDP C4DAfrica 2022. Capitalizing on already existing declarations such as the Lom Declaration on cybersecurity ECA 2022 and ECAs Guideline for a Model Law on Cybersecurity ECA 2022 were noted as progressive steps to articulate continental legal and policy guideline.The Human Rights DimensionThe workshop recognized the importance of considering the human rights dimension of digital ID. Experts emphasized the need to develop a human rights-based national data protection strategy that ensures inclusive access to digital ID systems. Strategies should address the challenges faced by marginalized communities including women people with disabilities and those in regions with limited-service delivery and power outage issues. To achieve digital ID outreach existing social structures in Africa such as village leaders and informal organizations should be utilized. Further research was recommended to quantify the relationship between digital ID and socio-economic development in Africa.The fundamental definition of digital ID and its contextual application is key in providing common frame of understanding technical and regulatory terms. By framing digital ID as a legally verifiable and universally accessible identity participants noted the need to broaden the conversation on digital ID by considering its wider implications in human rights and access to vital social services.
