Tanzania hosting Africa forum on electronic IDs

Tanzania hosting Africa forum on electronic IDs

2nd June 2015

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National Identification Authority (NIDA)

The First Government Forum on Electronic Identity (eID) in Africa is expected to open in Dar es Salaam today.

 

The joint organisers of the historic three-day event are Tanzania’s National Identification Authority (NIDA), which is a wing of the Home Affairs ministry, the Asia Pacific Smart Card Association (APSCA) and the Identity Counsel International (ICI). 

 

This inaugural forum will run under the theme: “How National eID can Support Social and Economic Development”.

 

The organisers describe it as an inaugural ID4Africa that will focus on digital identity and its applications for driving social and economic development in Africa.

 

It is also expected to serve as a comprehensive platform of exchange for identity authorities and users, international development agencies, solution providers, domain experts and a wide array of other industry stakeholders.

 

The forum will bring together government agencies charged with the issuance of electronic national identity cards, manage population registers, work with citizens’ electronic identities and facilitate the delivery of eGovernment services and benefits to the citizenry.

 

According to the organisers, members of the Biometrics Institute can enjoy a 10 per cent discount on registration while representatives of government agencies are invited to attend free of charge.

 

The institute is an independent organisation engaged in research, analysis and education for biometric users, vendors and government agencies in the Asia Pacific.

 

NIDA’s acting Director General Joseph Makani, told journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday that at least 300 people have been invited to the forum as delegates.

 

He said the forum was of particular significance to Tanzania in that it stood to boost the country’s economy since electronic identities can help citizens more easily access loans from commercial banks and other financial institutions.

 

“We (Tanzania) feel honoured to be the first in Africa to host a forum of this kind. Indeed, it is being held at a most opportune time when we are busy registering prospective voters across the country under Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) modalities.

 

Tanzania is also issuing national IDs and input from the forum could easily be applied and therefore improve the process, said Makani.

He said delegates will share information and experience on the continent’s best practices with respect to regional harmonisation and other aspects of development.

 

The Head of NIDA’s Communication Unit, Thomas William, meanwhile said forum delegates will also have an opportunity to tour exhibitions organised on the sidelines of the main event. 

 

“This will be an opportunity for Tanzanians to showcase their company brands, products and services,” he said.