Biometric Digital-ID in Africa: Progress and Challenges to Date – Ten Country Case Studies

This report provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of digital-ID across Africa. It addresses the critical governance challenges of digital identification (digital-ID) systems currently unfolding across the continent. The findings in this synthesis are drawn from ten country reports produced by African researchers from across the continent in a study coordinated by the African Digital Rights Network (ADRN) in collaboration with Paradigm Initiative. The ten country case studies form an integral part of this report and feature Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Senegal, and Tunisia.

Each country report provides the most detailed documentation to date of the evolving digital-ID system in that country. Key milestones in the development of the country’s digital-ID system is outlined and its key characteristics documented in detail. At the heart of the report is a systematic assessment of each digital-ID system against 15 tests derived from the comprehensive Framework for Evaluation of Digital Identity designed by the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS). Each country report concludes with actionable recommendations for policy, practice, and further research.