Beside DRC, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria in Focus
Kenya's Maisha Namba digital ID system faced a contentious rollout as well, marked by legal challenges and concerns over privacy, data protection, and foreign influence.
The Maisha Namba system replaced the controversial Huduma Namba and aims to create a centralized national population database for improved government service delivery and national security. Despite initial suspension by the High Court in July 2024, the project was allowed to proceed in February 2025. Civil society groups have raised concerns about the system's centralized, biometric-based approach, potential privacy violations, and the risk of digital exclusion for marginalized communities.
The involvement of foreign entities, particularly the United States, in shaping Kenya's digital identity ecosystem has added another layer of complexity to the debate. As the rollout continues, the Kenyan government faces the challenge of addressing these concerns while emphasizing the system's potential benefits.
The success of Maisha Namba will likely depend on striking a balance between technological advancement and the protection of individual rights and privacy, serving as a case study for other African nations pursuing similar biometric ID systems.
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In Uganda, the national biometric ID system has evolved from a tool for streamlining government services into a powerful mechanism for state surveillance and control. The system requires citizens to provide extensive personal data, including biometric information, raising privacy and human rights concerns.
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Critics argue that the government has used this system to monitor and target opposition figures and human rights activists, such as lawyer Nick Opiyo, who was arrested in 2020. The ID cards contain a wealth of personal information, enabling the tracking of individuals' movements, financial transactions, and communications. This level of surveillance has led to fears of suppressed dissent and infringed privacy rights.
Additionally, the system has created issues of digital exclusion, particularly for rural and marginalized communities who struggle to obtain the now-essential ID cards. Despite these concerns, the Ugandan government continues to expand the system's use, integrating it with various services and making it increasingly difficult for citizens to opt out or maintain privacy. Uganda's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the potential misuse of biometric technology in the hands of authoritarian regimes.
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Nigeria's National Identity Management Commission has been working on a comprehensive biometric ID system. As of 2023, over 60 million citizens have been enrolled in the system. The NIMC aims to create a unified national identity database for all Nigerian citizens and legal residents. The Nigerian government continues to push for increased enrollment and integration of the biometric ID system with various government services.