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Report

Biometric Digital-ID in Africa: Progress and Challenges to Date – Ten Country Case Studies

Published on 3 December 2025

The Biometric Digital-ID in Africa report provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of digital-ID across Africa. It addresses the critical governance challenges of digital identification (digital-ID) systems currently unfolding across the continent.

The findings in the synthesis are drawn from ten country reports produced by African researchers from across the continent in a study coordinated by the African Digital Rights Network (ADRN) in collaboration with Paradigm Initiative. The ten country case studies form an integral part of the report and feature Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Senegal, and Tunisia.

Each country report provides the most detailed documentation to date of the evolving digital-ID system in that country. Key milestones in the development of the country’s digital-ID system are outlined and its key characteristics documented in detail. At the heart of the report is a systematic assessment of each digital-ID system against 15 tests derived from the comprehensive Framework for Evaluation of Digital Identity designed by the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS). Each country report concludes with actionable recommendations for policy, practice, and further research.

Cite this publication

Sesan, 'G. and Roberts, T. (eds) (2025) Biometric Digital-ID in Africa: Progress and Challenges to Date – Ten Country Case Studies, Brighton: Institute of Development Studies, DOI: 10.19088/IDS.2025.051

Authors

Tony Roberts

Research Fellow

Mame-Penda Ba

Arsène Tungali

Afef Abrougui

Mohamed Farahat

Yosr Jouini

Peterking Quaye

Helen Beny

Jimmy Kainja

Nashilongo Gervasius

Lesedi Bewlay

Grace Mutung’u

Editors

Tony Roberts

Research Fellow

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Publication details

published by
Institute of Development Studies
doi
10.19088/IDS.2025.051
isbn
978-1-80470-303-8

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