Eye scans, fingerprints to be collected,…: New digital ID to be rolled out in Rwanda

The National Identification Agency (NIDA) in Rwanda has announced plans to launch a new digital national ID that will include more detailed personal data than the current one. According to NIDA Director General Josephine Mukesha, the new ID will capture biometric features such as eye scans and all ten fingerprints, and individuals will choose what information to share with others.

Mukesha explained, “We will take a photo, capture the eye scan, and fingerprints of all ten fingers, and this ID will be issued from birth. We will no longer wait until someone turns 16, but we will start collecting biometric data from children aged five.”

The digital ID will come in three forms:

A physical card (like the current one), but displaying limited visible information.

A digital version that can be carried on a mobile phone.

A unique ID number that can be memorized and used to access services.

Mukesha said, “Today, when someone sees your ID, they can know your age… But there is other information that doesn’t have to be shown every time. For instance, saying I am Josephine Mukesha is not a secret, even my photo is not a secret.”

The new ID will include a QR code that institutions can scan to access more detailed information when authorized.

Before the launch, citizens will be asked to verify their existing personal information with NIDA to prevent errors. This will be followed by biometric data collection and issuance of the new digital IDs. Mukesha noted that the process is expected to start in July, aiming to reach as many people as possible during school holidays, including children.

For minors under 18, parents or guardians will have to confirm their children’s data.

Why is the Digital ID Necessary?

Mukesha said the new system addresses several issues, such as the exclusion of children from services due to lack of identification. “A child also needs services, not just adults. And this new form goes beyond the old physical ID system. In some places, you were required to show up in person to be verified, but now, thanks to biometrics, verification can happen remotely,” she said.

Another benefit is that individuals will have control over who accesses their data, and they can revoke that access when necessary. For example, if a person stops using a particular bank, they can withdraw permission for that bank to access their personal information.

Mukesha added, “With digital ID, you’ll be able to track who you granted access to your data, and you can also block them from accessing it again.”

She emphasized that the rollout won’t be difficult, and within five years, the majority of Rwandans will likely have the digital ID. “By 2030, I believe very few people will still be using only the physical ID. We see clearly that digital usage is the most convenient,” she said.

The introduction of the digital ID is expected to expand access to services, even for newborns, who will now be eligible to receive identification from birth.

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