Rwanda is making strides in its ambitious digital identification initiative, with interested bidders currently vying to spearhead the production of core digital ID systems. Innocent Bagamba Muhizi, CEO of the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), revealed this development during discussions with Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on May 7.
The project, aimed at providing electronic identification documents to Rwandan residents, encountered setbacks highlighted in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending June 30, 2023. However, officials from the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, along with RISA, assured lawmakers of progress during the recent hearings.
The initiative, backed by a $40 million financing agreement, saw Rwanda partnering with the World Bank to execute the digital ID system. Despite initial delays, the project’s implementation is gaining momentum, with Muhizi outlining four key phases.
The first phase involved a feasibility study, followed by an assessment of civil registry records. Currently, efforts are concentrated on establishing a pre-enrollment system, a preparatory stage for data processing into a digital ID format. The final phase, encompassing the production of the core ID system, is already underway, with tender submissions from interested parties.
Muhizi anticipates the actual implementation to commence within the next 18 months, aiming for completion within that timeframe. The Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, previously indicated plans to issue digital IDs within three years.
The digital IDs will incorporate essential personal data, including biometric information such as fingerprints and iris scans. Yves Iradukunda, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, emphasized the broader scope of the Rwanda Digital Acceleration Project, a $200 million endeavor spanning from 2022 to 2026. This initiative aims to enhance digital access and services while nurturing the digital innovation landscape.
Despite encountering delays, Iradukunda assured lawmakers that the project is regaining momentum, particularly following the enactment of relevant legislation governing population registration and digital identity issuance in June 2023.
With these obstacles resolved, Iradukunda affirmed that the project is now firmly “back on track,” signaling a renewed commitment to Rwanda’s digital transformation journey.
