Telecom

Sierra Leone sets a Blockchain-based National Digital Identity System

Sierra Leone sets a Blockchain-based National Digital Identity System
Wednesday, 28 August 2019 16:37

The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio (pictured), inaugurated last week, Africa's first-ever national digital identification system based on blockchain technology.

This system developed by the National Civil Registry Authority (NCRA) guarantees every Sierra Leonean a forgery-proof identity. It is the result of a partnership signed last year between the country, the United Nations and the US non-profit organization KIVA, which specializes in financial services.

The project is being implemented in two phases and should have its second phase completed by the end of this year. The first phase concerns the digitization of identities. The second concerns the use of the digital identity created as a nationally recognized unique identifier, called a national identification number, which cannot be duplicated or reused.

The identifier thus created constitutes a unique reference source for each citizen. According to Julius Maada Bio, with the new national digital identification system, financial service providers are now able to effectively verify the identity and, ultimately, the credit history of a customer wishing to open an account or access a loan. 

At the public service level, the system will effectively combat corruption, fictitious public servants and the fraudulent granting of social benefits. The Head of State welcomed the fact that the system protects in a strictly confidential manner the data of each person residing in Sierra Leone stored on NCRA servers. He believes this project reflects his country’s desire to become a hub of innovation and a nation ready for new opportunities for inclusive governance and development.

On the same topic
Through such initiatives, Cassava Technologies aims to position itself as a leading digital solutions provider across its markets, empowering Africans to...
As Kenya races toward a more connected future, the country stands as a regional leader in harnessing technology to unlock human potential and transform...
• Mozambican government and Huawei considering the construction of a local mobile phone factory catered to rural needs • Special features for rural...
• Djibouti adopts new digital code to accelerate digital transformation, with focus on data protection, cybersecurity, and e-commerce. • The move aligns...
Most Read
01

Lebara Group is now bringing its affordable and reliable mobile services to Africa, starting with Ni...

Telecoms: Lebara Enters Nigerian Market with Strong Competitive Ambitions
02

• Gates Foundation commits $1.6 billion over five years to Gavi.• Bill Gates warns of rising ch...

Gates Foundation Pledges $1.6 Billion to Gavi to Boost Global Child Vaccination
03

Transport and food prices have been climbing steadily across Africa in recent years. In Côte d’Ivoir...

Côte d’Ivoire’s Fuel Price Cuts Haven’t Slashed Transport Costs–Yet
04

In a West African financial landscape marked by tighter regulation of the fintech sector, digital fi...

In Five Years, Francophone Africa Will be A Major Force in African Tech –Régis Bamba
05

• Maritime sector faces renewed risks amid military tensions in the Middle East• Blockade fears at S...

Israel-Iran conflict raises new threats for global shipping and oil trade
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

Benjamin FLAUX
bf@agenceecofin.com 
Téls: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72
Média kit : Download

EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.