Digital-ID in Namibia: Country Report

This report provides an overview of Namibia’s biometric identification (ID) system. It centres on the national ID system that has evolved from paper based documentation dating from pre-1990 to increasingly biometric inclusive documentation that incorporates fingerprint and facial recognition technologies. The introduction of the of biometric ID, and its gradual rollout within the refugee community, specifically, is recognised as necessary to upscale service provision for essential services such as providing access to social grants, while also facilitating cross-border movement, and is among the many digital activities needed to transform Namibia into a knowledge-based economy.

This research assesses the current state of the biometric ID system and existing legislative framework, while also comparing operational implementation against established rule of law, rights-based, and risk-based tests. This report evaluates the strengths and vulnerabilities in the system’s design and governance; it examines the system’s effectiveness, and balances security considerations with citizens’ rights to privacy, inclusion, and non-discrimination.