Namibians may soon be issued with electronic identity (ID) cards.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has urged the public to participate in an awareness campaign on electronic ID cards.
The first engagement is set to take place in Windhoek next Thursday.
The Cabinet approved the introduction of contactless chip IDs in August 2023.
The government has since been putting the required infrastructure in place and engaging the relevant stakeholders on the initiative.
“Namibia will introduce the country’s first electronic identity card (e-ID), a smart, secure, and biometric-enabled document designed to modernise identity management and expand access to essential public and private services,” executive director Ettiene Maritz says in a statement released on Saturday.
The e-ID initiative marks a step towards a secure, inclusive, and digitally connected society, he says.
“This advanced identity card will contain embedded biometric and demographic data,
enabling real-time identity verification across sectors such as banking, healthcare, education, elections, and more,” Maritz says.
To foster public understanding and trust in this innovation, he says the ministry will commence with a nationwide awareness campaign.
The ministry will host an interactive Un-conference on Digital Legal Identity in Windhoek on 26 June.
During the event, home affairs minister Lucia
Iipumbu, and UNDP representative in Namibia Alka Bhatia will directly engage with the public.
“As with any innovation, questions and concerns are expected,
and the two leaders are committed to addressing them with openness and clarity,” Maritz says.
Over 500 community members from Windhoek’s constituencies, local councillors and political leaders are expected to attend.
Maritz says the ‘un-conference’ will promote dialogue between citizens and government officials, allowing the public to ask direct questions and receive clear, transparent answers.
Some key benefits of the e-ID include enhanced security through biometric verification,
reduced identity fraud and the elimination of duplicate records, and improved access to government services, especially in rural areas.
