CONFERENCE
- 20-23 May 2025
- Ethiopian Skylight Hotel
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
-
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
- PROGRAM
Theme in 2025:
Digital Identity at Scale: Prioritizing use, accelerating impact
Digital identity has been rapidly gaining traction worldwide, with an increasing number of services and applications leveraging it to empower users and enhance their experiences. Over the past five years, it has transformed from a niche innovation or optional feature into a fundamental pillar of digital transformation initiatives. As adoption grows, focus must shift to scaling delivery and empowering use to maximizing impact.
While establishing digital identity is relatively straightforward once foundational identity registers are in place, the true challenge lies in building a robust ecosystem to support its effective use. This requires fostering an environment where public and private relying parties can seamlessly integrate digital identity into their services, streamlining user onboarding and unlocking new opportunities enabled by secure digital access.
The central theme of our 2025 AGM focuses on scaling digital identity by driving both its supply and demand. The program explores actionable strategies, innovative pathways and safeguards necessary to realize the full transformative potential of digital identity while respecting individual rights. More specifically, it consists of three pillars.
THE 3 PILLARS OF THIS THEME
Scale
Identity management takes a different form as it reaches population scale, and could greatly benefit from the development and deployment of digital public infrastructure (DPI). However, achieving scalability is not just a technical challenge—it also requires strong governance, safeguards, and a user-centric approach. This program provides a multi-perspective exploration of the challenges, risks, and strategies involved in scaling identity management solutions effectively.
Use
Digital identity should not be seen as a technology in search of problems to solve. Instead, the focus must start with identifying and understanding key use cases where it can deliver meaningful benefits. This program explores sector-specific applications of functional identity, built on a strong foundational digital identity. By examining each sector’s unique requirements, we aim to ensure that identity systems are tailored to meet their needs, driving adoption, promoting inclusion, and supporting long-term sustainability.
Impact
With just six years left to achieve the SDGs, the development community must embrace innovative approaches, business models, and strategies to accelerate the impact of digital identity and digital transformation. This AGM showcases success stories and explores strategies for fast-tracking progress, emphasizing initiatives that drive immediate and tangible impact.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
8:30 – 9:30
PS0: OPENING ADDRESSES

Dr. Joseph J. Atick, Executive Chairman, ID4Africa

Distinguished Representative Office of the Prime Minister, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
9:30 – 11:00
OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION & REFRESHMENTS
11:00 – 14:00
PS1: DIGITAL IDENTITY PROGRESS IN AFRICA
This 3-segment session highlights the remarkable progress of digital identity adoption across Africa, with insights from eleven nations at different stages of implementation and following diverse strategic approaches. Country representatives share their experiences, the challenges they have navigated, and their roadmaps for the future.

Dr. Joseph J. Atick, Executive Chairman, ID4Africa
S1: COUNTRY PROGRESS REPORTS
[Presentations + Q&A]
In this segment, heads of Identity Authorities from 5 African countries, appearing for the first time, share valuable updates, lessons and recommendations. It underscores that foundational identity systems are not one-size-fits-all, with each nation adopting strategies tailored to its needs and sovereignty.
FEATURED COUNTRIES

Sidi Ali NAFEE, Director & CEO, National Agency for the Population Register and Secure Titles (ANRPTS); and ID4Africa Ambassador

Edson GUYAI, Director, ID Management, National Identification Authority (NIDA); and ID4Africa Ambassador

Aristide ADJINACOU, Director General, National Agency for the Identification of Persons (ANIP)

Abdiwali Ali ABDULLE, Director General, National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA); and ID4Africa Ambassador

Mphatso SAMBO, Principal Secretary, National Registration Bureau (NRB); and ID4Africa Ambassador
S2: SPOTLIGHT: i-ON-ETHIOPIA
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]

Yodahe ZEMICHAEL, Executive Director, National ID Program (NIDP); and ID4Africa Ambassador, Ethiopia
PANELISTS

H.E. Dr. Belete MOLLA, Minister of Innovation and Technology, Ethiopia

H.E. Tigist HAMID MOHAMMED, Director General, Information Network Security Agency (INSA); and ID4Africa Deputy Ambassador

H.E. Frehiwot TAMIRU, CEO, Ethio telecom

Yonas ALEMAYEHU, Director General, Addis Ababa City Administration Civil Registration and Residency Service Agency (CRRSA)

Jotework GUDETA AYELEL, Senior Advisor to the Governor, National Bank of Ethiopia
S3: REIMAGINING IDENTITY AUTHORITIES AS DIGITAL PUBLIC UTILITY ENTERPRISES
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]
This panel brings together the leaders of the continent’s most established Identity Authorities to discuss their transition into public utility enterprises. It explores sustainable business models, institutional reforms and innovative strategies to meet identity verification needs and to ensure long-term viability and impact.

Engr. Abisoye COKER-ODUSOTE, Director General/CEO, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC); and ID4Africa Ambassador

Dr. Christopher WANJAU, Secretary, National Registration Bureau; and ID4Africa Ambassador, Kenya

Theresa ESON-BENJAMIN, Executive Assistant to Executive Secretary & Head, Legal and Compliance, National Identification Authority (NIA), Ghana; and ID4Africa Ambassador

Devendre GOPAUL, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office and ID4Africa Ambassador

Mouhcine YEJJOU, Director, Morocco eID Project, General Directorate for National Security (DGSN); and ID4Africa Deputy Ambassador
14:00 – 15:30
LUNCH & EXTENDED NETWORKING
15:30 – 18:30
PS2: DIGITAL IDENTITY & THE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
This session examines how digital identity drives global development, as viewed through the lens of government leaders, development organizations and standards bodies.

Dr. Joseph J. Atick, Executive Chairman, ID4Africa
S1: RETHINKING THE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA FOR THE NEXT DECADE
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]
As digital transformation reshapes global priorities, development actors are redefining their strategies to stay impactful. This segment brings together leaders from top organizations to discuss evolving priorities, adapting approaches, and how digital advancements influence project design, resource allocation, and interventions. The discussion emphasizes keeping development efforts responsive, inclusive, safe and future-ready.

Idah PSWARAYI-RIDDIHOUGH, Global Director, Digital Transformation, The World Bank

Keyzom NGODUP MASSALLY, Head, Digital Programming, Chief Digital Office, UNDP

Waleed HAMDI, Head, Information Society Division, Infrastructure and Energy Department, African Union Commission
S2: STANDARDIZATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]

Dr. Peter WAGGETT, Chair, ISO/IEC JCT SC 17 Subcommittee –Identity Credentials; and UK Director of Strategic Relationships, IBM Research Europe

Dr. Andreas WOLF, Chair, ISO SC 27 Subcommittee, Information Security, Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection and Innovations – Principal Scientist Biometrics, Bundesdruckerei GmbH

Patrick GROTHER, Chair, ISO/IEC JCT SC 37 Subcommittee—Biometrics; and Biometric Testing Project Lead, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]
This session brings together three former director generals to share their experiences and insights on achieving success in large-scale identity systems. They discuss strategies to avoid vendor lock-in, the impact of open markets and standards, and the role of DPI and the private sector.

Engr. Aliyu AZIZ, Former Director General/CEO, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria

Prof. Kenneth ATTAFUAH, Former Executive Secretary, National Identification Agency (NIA), Ghana

Tariq MALIK, Former Chairman & CEO, National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Pakistan
S4: CLOSING KEYNOTE
[Presentation]
This keynote provides an overview from a renowned expert on building universal, citizen-centric, digital public infrastructures, offering valuable insights for the future of development in a digital world.

Dr. Pramod VARMA, Co-Chair, Center for DPI
18:00 – 20:00
GRAND NETWORKING & RECEPTION
MORNING SESSIONS
8:30 – 10:15
PS3: THE SOLUTIONS FORUM: DIGITAL IDENTITY IN USE (PART I)

Abdullahi Bihi HUSSEIN, Managing Director, Somali Payment Switch; and ID4Africa Deputy Ambassador, Somalia
[Presentation]
SPEAKER

Agnès DIALLO, CEO, IN Groupe (former Executive Director of EU-Lisa)
S2: FINANCIAL SECTOR USE CASES
[Presentations + Q&A]
The financial sector offers some of the most impactful use cases for digital identity. This segment highlights key applications from pioneering innovators and business leaders who are driving digital transformation in finance, both in Africa and globally. Through these examples, participants will gain insights into how digital identity is being leveraged to enhance security, streamline services, and promote financial inclusion across diverse markets. The topic covered in this segment will continue within the Symposium on Day 3 dedicated to digital identity and financial services [Ref. T3-P3].
SPEAKERS

Rajiv GARODIA, SVP & Global Head, Government Solutions, Visa

Rahul PARTHE, Co-Founder, Chairman & CTO, TECH5

Owen McSHANE, Vice President, Government Relations, FaceTec


Ramamohan REDDY, Founder & CEO, DigitalTrust Technologies Dr. Hatwib MUGASA, Executive Director, National Information Technology Authority (NITA), Uganda
10:15 – 11:45
NETWORKING BREAK & EXHIBITION
11:45 – 13:30
PS4: THE SOLUTIONS FORUM: DIGITAL IDENTITY IN USE (PART II)

Diakalidia KONATÉ, Executive Secretary, National Border Commission (CNFCI), Côte d’Ivoire
[Presentations]

Kalkidan AREGA, CEO, Toppan Security Ethiopia
S2: TRAVEL USE CASES
[Presentations + Q&A]
Travel is another sector undergoing massive change driven by identity-enabled digital transformation. While regions outside Africa are progressing rapidly due to relatively more mature infrastructure, it will not be long before these travel use cases impact the continent. In this segment, 2 world-renowned organizations share their experiences with the latest use cases that are reshaping the way people travel and cross borders.
SPEAKERS

Pedro ALVES, Vice President, Global Business Development, SITA

Xavier PROST, Managing Director & Regional Head of Sales, MEA, Veridos
S3: HEALTHCARE USE CASES
[Presentations + Q&A]

Mouhamed Mahi SY, Director, Information System, Senegalese Agency for Universal Health Coverage (SEN-CSU); and ID4Africa Ambassador, Senegal

Moses Kwesi BAIDEN Jnr, CEO & Founder, Margins ID Group


Tomas ANTOLIK, Sales Director, EMEA, Innovatrics Frédéric NZE, CEO, Akieni
13:30 – 14:30
LUNCH & NETWORKING
14:30 – 17:30
PS5A: FROM DATA TO DIGNITY: GUARDRAILING DIGITAL IDENTITY
S1: REFORMING THE LEGAL FRAMEWORKS FOR THE DIGITAL AGE
[Presentations + Q&A]

Tulimeke MUNYIKA, Deputy Executive Director, Immigration Control & Citizenship, Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security; and ID4Africa Ambassador, Namibia
FEATURED COUNTRIES

Thulani MAVUSO Deputy Director General: Operations, Department of Home Affairs

Dr. Jean AHOLOU, National Coordinator, WURI-Benin

Brice Gabin KAMDEM KOUAM, Head, Legal Affairs Division, Ministry of Civil Decentralization and Local Development (MINDDEVEL)

Dr. Lourinho CHEMANE, Board Chairman, National Institute of Information and Communication Technology; and ID4Africa Ambassador
• PANEL DISCUSSION + Q&A
S2: PROVEN POLICIES FOR INCLUSION
[Presentations + Q&A]

Julia CLARK, Senior Economist, ID4D Initiative, The World Bank
SPEAKERS

Saniya ANSAR, Economist, The World Bank

Prof. Edgar WHITLEY, Professor of Information Systems, London School of Economics
S3: FOSTERING TRUST AND RESPECTING DIGNITY IN DIGITAL SYSTEMS
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]
Featuring a panel of prominent representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the session also delves into the role of Human Rights Impact Assessments in safeguarding the dignity and rights of citizens. Additionally, it examines how governments can collaborate with CSOs to rebuild community trust in digital systems, fostering a more equitable and transparent digital ecosystem.

Mustafa MAHMOUD, Co-Director, Namati, Kenya
PANELISTS

Elizabeth ATORI, Legal Officer, Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER), Uganda

Khasida ABDULLAHI, Program Manager, Haki na Sheria Initiative, Kenya

Thandeka CHAUKE, Head, Statelessness Unit, Lawyers for Human Rights, South Africa

Susan MWAPE, Founder & Executive Director, Common Cause Zambia

Joseph Désiré ZEBAZE, National Coordinator, Cameroon Network of Human Rights Organizations (CNHRO)
14:30 – 17:30
PS5B: DPI FOR DEVELOPMENT

Chahine HAMILA, e-Gov Senior Advisor & Technologist, UNDP
S1: OPENING REMARKS
[Presentation]

Chahine HAMILA, e-Gov Senior Advisor & Technologist, UNDP
S2: INTEROPERABILITY AND STANDARDS: THE BACKBONE OF DPIs
[Panel Discussion + Q&A ]
PANELISTS

Peter KUSEK, Program Manager, Digital Transformation Global Department, The World Bank

Julia CLARK, Senior Economist, ID4D Initiative, The World Bank

Anita MITTAL, Lead Digital Convergence Initiative, Global Alliances for Social Protection, GIZ

Stephanie DE LABRIOLLE, Executive Director, Secure Identity Alliance (SIA) and OSIA

Gail HODGES, Executive Director, OpenID Foundation
S3: SCALING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PROJECTS INTO ECOSYSTEMS
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]
PANELISTS

Godfrey KUTUMELA, Vice President, DPI Go-to-Market, Mifos Initiative

Saurav BHATTARAI, Team Lead, openIMIS, Global Alliances for Social Protection, GIZ

Ramesh NARAYANAN, CTO, MOSIP (Modular Open-Source Identity Platform)

Andrew ASAMOAH, Executive Director, Software Development & Systems Integration, Margins ID Group

Yann BOUAN, Chief Strategy Officer & Identity Expert, iDAKTO
S4: THE AFRICAN DIGITAL IDENTITY HACKATHON
[Presentations + Q&A]

Andrew MUSOKE, Research Engineer, Upanzi Network, CMU (Carnegie Mellon University)

Assane GUEYE, Associate Teaching Professor, CMU; Co-Director, Upanzi Network & CyLab-Africa

Anshul PACHOURI, Senior Manager, MicroSave Consulting
17:30 – 17:45
THE 2026 AGM HOST COUNTRY REVEAL
17:45 – 19:00
NETWORKING & EXHIBITION
DAY 3 AT A GLANCE
8:30 – 13:30
MORNING SYMPOSIUMS
SYMPOSIUM 1 Digital Identity
SYMPOSIUM 2 Legal Identity
13:30 – 14:30
NETWORKING LUNCH
14:30 – 18:30
AFTERNOON SYMPOSIUMS
SYMPOSIUM 2 Legal Identity
TRACK 3 Identity in Finance
DAY 3 IN DETAIL
MORNING SYMPOSIUMS
8:30 – 10:30
T1-P1: DIGITAL IDENTITY: GLOBAL ADOPTION LANDSCAPE & FOUNDATIONS FOR ROBUSTNESS

Patrick GROTHER, Chair, ISO/IEC JCT SC 37 Subcommittee—Biometrics; and Biometric Testing Project Lead, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
S1: THE GLOBAL LANDSCAPE OF DIGITAL IDENTITY ADOPTION
[Presentation]
SPEAKER

Adam COOPER, Technical Consultant, European Commission and The World Bank
S2: BIOMETRICS: THE CORNERSTONE OF DIGITAL IDENTITY
[Presentation + Q&A]
SPEAKER

Patrick GROTHER, Chair, ISO/IEC JCT SC 37 Subcommittee—Biometrics; and Biometric Testing Project Lead, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
S3: LIVENESS DETECTION AND ROBUSTNESS AGAINST FRAUD
[Presentation + Q&A]
SPEAKER

Prof. Stephanie SCHUCKERS, Distinguished Professor in Computing & Informatics, University of North Carolina
S4: WHEN THEORY MEETS PRACTICE: AADHAAR AUTHENTICATION & LIVENESS DETECTION
[Presentation + Q&A]
Building on the previous presentations, this segment explores how India’s Aadhaar, the world’s largest digital identity program, implements biometric liveness detection and authentication across all modalities. It examines the practical strategies that ensure robustness, security, and trust, highlighting the role of advanced technologies in maintaining the integrity and reliability of digital identity at scale.
SPEAKER

Sanjeev YADAV, Director, Authentication, Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI)
11:30 – 13-30
T2-P1: LEGAL IDENTITY: PROGRESS IN BIRTH REGISTRATION & DIGITALIZATION (PART 1/4)

Henry Tawona MACHIRI, Registrar General, Civil Registry Department, Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; and ID4Africa Ambassador, Zimbabwe
S1: CONTINENTAL PROGRESS AND POLICIES DRIVING IT
[Presentations + Q&A]

Nankali MAKSUD, Regional Child Protection Adviser, Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), UNICEF

Bhaskar MISHRA, CRVS & Legal Identity Specialist, UNICEF
[Presentations + Q&A]
COUNTRY PRESENTATIONS

Aliou OUSMANE SALL, Director General, National Civil Status Agency (ANEC); and ID4Africa Deputy Ambassador

Brahim ALI SEID, Coordinator, Cooperation & Civil Registration Unit, National Agency for Secure Titles (ANATS)

Dr. Abdoulaye ALKADI, National Director, Civil Status, National Directorate of Civil Status; and ID4Africa Ambassador

Mohamed Mubashir MASSAQUOI, Director General & Chief Registration Officer, National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA); and ID4Africa Ambassador

Dr. João Paulo MONTES, Consultant, Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
8:30 – 10:30
T3-P1: DIGITAL PUBLIC GOODS IN USE

Bolaji AYODEJI, DPG Evangelist & Technical Coordinator, Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA
[Presentation]
SPEAKER

Bolaji AYODEJI, DPG Evangelist & Technical Coordinator, Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA
[Joint Presentation]
SPEAKERS

Puneet JOSHI, CTO, OpenG2P

Girum KETEMA, Director, Digital Agriculture and Finance Program, Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute

Dawit ABRAHAM, Program Associate, Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC)
[Joint Presentation]
SPEAKERS

Nagarajan SANTHANAM, Chief Dissemination Officer – MOSIP & OpenG2P

Dr. Omar El ALAMI, Project Director, National Population Register, Department of Information Systems and Telecommunications, Ministry of Interior; and ID4Africa Ambassador, Morocco
[Joint Presentation]
SPEAKERS

Saurav BHATTARAI, Team Lead, openIMIS, Global Alliances for Social Protection, GIZ

Emmanuel BATOUM, Head, IT Department, Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon
[Joint Presentation]
SPEAKERS

Dr. Baltazar CANDRINHO, Director, National Malaria Control Program, Mozambique

Nita TYAGI, Director, Growth & Partnerships, Equidhi
[Joint Presentation]
SPEAKERS

Jeremi JOSLIN, Executive Director, OpenSPP

Janaki AMARATUNGE, Additional Secretary, Development (Fertilizer Division), Government of Sri Lanka
10:30 – 11:30
NETWORKING BREAK & EXHIBITION
11:30 – 13-30
T1- P2: DIGITAL IDENTITY: DATA SHARING & INTEROPERABILITY– INTERAGENCY & WALLETS (PART 2/4)

Dr. Engr. Nizar BEN NÉJI, ICT Expert and Strategist & Former Minister of ICT, Tunisia
S1: THE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE WITH DATA SHARING PLATFORMS
[Presentations + Panel + Q&A]
FEATURED COUNTRIES:

Marc-André LOKO, Director General, Information Systems and Digital Agency (ASIN)

Luke MATE, Director, Systems Development and Support, Smart Zambia Institute; and ID4Africa Deputy Ambassador

Khalid OUAKKA, Director of eGov, Digital Development Agency (ADD)

Alberto MOUNGUENGUI MOUDOKI, Director General, National Agency for Digital Infrastructure and Frequencies (ANINF); and ID4Africa Ambassador

Togbe AGBAGLA, Technical Director, Togo Digital Agency (ATD); and ID4Africa Deputy Ambassador

Connie FRANCIS, Director of Management Information System (MIS), National Identity Authority (NIDA)
S2: PANEL DISCUSSION & Q&A
S3: USER-CENTRIC DATA SHARING PLATFORMS: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
[Presentation]
SPEAKER

Ott SARV, Chairperson / Senior eGov & Digital Identity Wallets Advisor, GovConsult
8:30 – 10:30
T2-P2: LEGAL IDENTITY: UNLOCKING THE POWER OF SYNERGIES-CR, HEALTH & ID (PART 2/4)
S1: HARNESSING HEALTH SYNERGY: BOOSTING BIRTH AND DEATH REGISTRATION
[Presentations + Q&A]

Aboubacar KAMPO, UNICEF Representative, Ethiopia
COUNTRIES’ PERSPECTIVE

Patricia MPUYA, Registration Manager, Registration Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA)

Noël-Richelieu LUENDA MAMBUENE, Head, Office in Charge of Civil Status and Population, Kinshasa Urban Division, Ministry of the Interior

Lamin FATTY, Registrar, Births and Deaths, Ministry of Health; and ID4Africa Ambassador
S2: OVERCOMING THE BARRIERS OF INTEGRATION OF CIVIL REGISTRATION AND ID
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]
UN AGENCIES’ PERSPECTIVE

Bhaskar MISHRA, CRVS & Legal Identity Specialist, UNICEF
PANELISTS

Rosemary KISEMBO, Executive Director, National Identification & Registration Authority (NIRA); and ID4Africa Ambassador, Uganda

Ago Christian KODIA, Director General, National Agency for Civil Registration & Identity (ONECI); and ID4Africa Ambassador, Côte d’Ivoire

Djenabou Touré CAMARA, National Director of Political Affairs and Electoral Administration; Coordinator of Reform and Modernisation; and ID4Africa Ambassador, Guinea Conakry

Claudio MACHADO, Senior ID4D Consultant, The World Bank
[Presentations]

William MUHWAVA, Chief, Demographic & Social Statistics Section, African Centre for Statistics, UNECA
PRESENTATIONS

Josephine MUKESHA, Director General, National Identification Agency (NIDA), Rwanda; ACSA Vice Chair; and ID4Africa Ambassador

Abdon Marius MIKPON’AÏ, Director, Civil Registration, Directorate of Civil Registration, Ministry of the Interior, Benin; ACSA Member Secretary; and ID4Africa Ambassador
11:30 – 13-30
T3- P2: UNIVERSAL DPX SAFEGUARDS IN ACTION
PANEL DISCUSSION

Matthew McNAUGHTON, Director for Inclusion, Safeguards and Civil Society Engagement, Co-Develop
13:30 – 14:30
LUNCH & NETWORKING
AFTERNOON SYMPOSIUMS
14:30 – 16:30
T1- P3: DIGITAL IDENTITY: DIGITAL CREDENTIALS (PART 3/4)
S1:DIGITAL CREDENTIALS: DIVERSITY, UNDERPINNINGS, AND THE LATEST ADDITION
[Presentation + Q&A]
MODERATOR AND SPEAKER

Dr. Peter WAGGETT, Chair, ISO/IEC JCT SC 17 Subcommittee –Identity Credentials; and UK Director of Strategic Relationships, IBM Research Europe
[Presentations + Q&A]
PRESENTATIONS

Christopher HORNEK, Facilitation Subject Matter Expert, ICAO

Patrick GROTHER, Chair, ISO/IEC JCT SC 37 Subcommittee—Biometrics; and Biometric Testing Project Lead, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Kassaye Tafesse BELEW, Head of Cybersecurity, National ID Program (NIDP), Ethiopia
[Presentation + Q&A]
SPEAKERS

Ott SARV, Chairperson / Senior eGov & Digital Identity Wallets Advisor, GovConsult

Tshewang CHOJAY, Dy. Chief ICT Officer, GovTech Agency, Bhutan
14:30 – 16:30
T2-P3: LEGAL IDENTITY: IN THE CONTEXT OF MIGRATION AND MOBILITY (PART 3/4)
Legal identity, rooted in civil registration, is a foundational element for upholding human rights, providing protection, and ensuring access to essential government services. Despite its importance and its inclusion in Sustainable Development Goal 16.9, access remains uneven due to systemic barriers, administrative inefficiencies, and social exclusion. In the context of mobility, legal identity plays a critical role in facilitating safe, orderly and regular migration, aligning with Objective 4 of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), while also serving as a lifeline for those forced to flee, such as refugees. The absence of legal identity—or barriers to obtaining it—can exacerbate vulnerabilities, especially for stateless individuals or those lacking proof of nationality.

Nelson GONÇALVES, Head, Legal Identity Unit, IOM
S1: LEGAL IDENTITY FOR MIGRANTS
[Presentation + Q&A]
SPEAKER

Nelson GONÇALVES, Head, Legal Identity Unit, IOM
S2: LEGAL IDENTITY FOR REFUGEES
[Presentation + Q&A]
SPEAKER

Maarouf ISSAKA-TOURE, Senior Coordinator, Data, Identity Management & Analysis, Regional Bureau for the East, Horn and Great lakes, UNHCR
S3: LEGAL IDENTITY & STATELESSNESS
[Panel]
PANELISTS

Obwogi Jonathan OMBATI, Legal Officer, Office of the Legal Counsel, African Union Commission

Monika SANDVIK, Senior Statelessness Coordinator/ Head of Section, UNHCR
S4: INNOVATIONS IN DIGITAL IDENTITY FOR MIGRATION
[Presentation]
PRESENTATIONS

Florian HÖFLE, Co-founder & CEO, TRUSTFELLOWS; and Expert Consultant, Digital ID, IOM


Ago Christian KODIA, Director General, National Agency for Civil Registration and Identity (ONECI); and ID4Africa Ambassador, Côte d’Ivoire Diakalidia KONATÉ, Executive Secretary, National Border Commission (CNFCI), Côte d’Ivoire
14:30 – 16:30
T3- P3: IDENTITY IN FINANCE: EMPOWERING INCLUSIVE FINANCIAL SERVICES
This segment features a scene-setting presentation by a renowned expert, drawing insights from work with financial service providers, regulators, and end-consumers across the continent.
SPEAKER

Barry COOPER, Technical Director, Centre for Financial Regulation and Inclusion (Cenfri)
S2: DIGITAL IDENTITY ADOPTION: DRIVING FINANCIAL SECTOR TRANSFORMATION
[Presentations + Q&A]
FEATURED COUNTRIES

Dr. Settor Kwabla AMEDIKU, Director & Head, Payment Systems Department, Bank of Ghana

Premier OIWOH, Managing Director & CEO, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS)

Gertrude KADUMBO, CEO & Board Secretary, National Switch Limited; and ID4Africa Deputy Ambassador

Mothetsi SEKOATI, Director, Payments & Settlements, Central Bank of Lesotho

Irene KABURA MURIHANO, First Deputy Governor, Bank of the Republic of Burundi; and ID4Africa Deputy Ambassador
S4: CLOSING PRESENTATION

Vera NEUGEBAUER,, Senior Research Associate, Centre for Financial Regulation and Inclusion (Cenfri)
16:30 – 17:30
NETWORKING BREAK & EXHIBITION
17:30 – 18:30
T1- P4: DIGITAL IDENTITY: DATA RISKS & GOVERNANCE (PART 4/4)

Drudeisha MADHUB, Data Protection Commissioner, Data Protection Office, Mauritius; and President, Francophone Association of Personal Data Protection Authorities (AFAPDP)
PANELISTS

Dr. Vincent OLATUNJI, National Commissioner/CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC); and ID4Africa Deputy Ambassador, Nigeria

Silvère ASSOUA, Head, Compliance and Rights Protection Department, Telecommunications Regulatory Agency of Cote d’Ivoire (ARTCI), Cote d’Ivoire

Engr. Balcha REBA, Director General, Ethiopian Communications Authority, Ethiopia

Immaculate KASSAIT, Data Commissioner, Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, Kenya

Adv Pansy TLAKULA, Chairperson, Information Regulator, South Africa
17:30 – 18:30
T2- P4: LEGAL IDENTITY: INTEROPERABILITY IN MIGRATION AND MOBILITY (PART 4/4)

Robert KARANJA, Senior Director, Africa, Co-Develop
PANELISTS

Maarouf Issaka-Toure, Senior Coordinator, DIMA: Data, Identity Management & Analysis, Regional Bureau for the East, Horn and Great lakes, UNCHR

Yussuf BASHIR, Executive Director, Haki na Sheria Initiative, Kenya

Ato Tesfa BELISSA, Team Lead, Registration & Documentation, Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), Ethiopia
17:30 – 18:30
T3- P4: IDENTITY IN FINANCE: BUILDING THE FINANCIAL STACK (PART 2/2)
S1: FROM DPI TO THE FINANCIAL STACK
[Presentation]
SPEAKER

Mark STRAUB, CEO, Smile ID
S2: BUILDING THE DIGITAL IDENTITY INFASTRUCTURE FOR KYC & CDD
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]
This segment features a dynamic panel of experts who share real-world experiences, best practices, and actionable insights on designing, implementing, and realizing the potential of this transformative infrastructure. The session’s goal is to equip attendees with practical guidance for building and deploying a future-ready financial ecosystem that fosters innovation, inclusion, and compliance in their country.

Mark STRAUB, CEO, Smile ID
PANELISTS

Nael HAILEMARIAM, Co-founder & CEO Chapa, Ethiopia

Rahul PARTHE, Co-Founder, Chairman & CTO, Tech5

Mosele BARUTI, Head, Information Technology, Bankers Association of Botswana
18:30
END OF DAY 3
ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS
These workshops serve as a dynamic complement to the conference tracks, where the ID4Africa General Secretariat, in collaboration with the ID4Africa Country Bureaus, maintains full editorial oversight.
WORKSHOPS AT A GLANCE
8:30 – 14:00
ALL WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOP 1
E-Signatures, PKI and Consent Management: Enabling high-trust digital transactions
WORKSHOP 2
The African Data Protection and Privacy Agenda
WORKSHOP 3
Partners in Progress: A Partnership-Driven Approach to Adoption for Safe and Inclusive Digital ID
Chairing Entities: UNDP, ISER, Co-Develop
WORKSHOP 4 *(08:30-11:00)
Procurement Strategies for Digital Identity: Build, buy & beyond
Chairing Entity: UNDP
WORKSHOP 5 *(11:30-14:00)
Designing Identity Systems in Uncertain Times
Chairing Entity: Caribou Digital
11:00 – 11:30
NETWORKING BREAK
14:00 – 15:00
NETWORKING LUNCH
15:00
END OF ID4AFRICA 2025
WORKSHOP 1
E-Signatures, PKI and Consent Management: Enabling high-trust digital transactions
Chairing Entity: The World Bank
CONTEXT
As digital transactions – fostered by digital ID – become central to public and private service delivery across Africa, ensuring secure, trusted, and accountable digital interactions forms a key aspect of digital public infrastructure (DPI) ecosystems. Building this trust relies on a layered ecosystem of governance and technology solutions that allow relevant institutions to verify the authenticity of digital actors, ensure the integrity and legal validity of digital transactions, and uphold privacy by maintaining user-driven and accountable data-sharing.
OBJECTIVES
- Foster understanding and debunking myths by clarifying the technical, legal and practices foundations of e-signatures, PKI and consent management, and addressing common misconceptions in trusted ID ecosystems.
- Foster practical knowledge and showcase success stories by presenting real-world examples and country case studies where leveraging e-signatures, PKI and consent management systems tools has led to greater trust and efficiency.
- Create a platform for dialogue and collaboration to facilitate knowledge and experience exchange among ID Authorities, policymakers, and technology providers of different countries, as well as international stakeholders.
KEY DISCUSSION POINTS
- E-Signatures and PKI
- Understanding E-Signatures: definitions, legal recognition, and how they differ from digital signatures. Their role on digital ID and trusted online transactions.
- PKI as an enabler of high-trust e-signatures: core functions, strategic implementation, and security.
- PKI deployment: balancing insourcing and outsourcing to optimize security, sustainability, and cross-border interoperability. Exploring how African governments, in particular, can implement PKI securely, regulate it effectively and promote the growth of private sector.
- E-Signatures and PKI
- Consent Management:
- Unpacking the legal and technical concepts behind consent management as a critical tool to strengthen privacy-by-design and users’ control over their data.
- Exploring the limitations and risks of recognizing consent as a sole source of data privacy safeguards.
- Challenges and solutions for meaningful consent and usability: real-world models and applications of consent management systems in a diversity of contexts.
- Identifying technology trends that can enhance user experience and user empowerment, such as verifiable credentials, consent dashboards and revocable tokens.
- Consent Management:
FORMAT
The World Bank will provide an overview of trust services, covering the foundational concepts of e-signatures, PKI, and consent management. This introduction will set the stage for the two main sessions: E-Signatures and PKI (2.5 hours) and Consent Management (2.5 hours), with a 30-minbreak in between. Each session will start with short presentations to provide context, followed by panel discussions where experts will share their experiences and best practices. Interactive activities and Q&A sessions will enable broader audience participation. Participants will receive a summary handout highlighting key takeaways and recommended practices.
CHAIRPERSONS

Julia CLARK, Senior Economist, ID4D Initiative, The World Bank

Nay Constantine, Legal Expert and Data Governance Specialist, ID4D Initiative, Digital Development Global Practice, The World Bank
WORKSHOP 2
The African Data Protection and Privacy Agenda
Chairing Entity: World Privacy Forum
THE AFRICAN DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY AGENDA (PART I)
The Roundtable of African Data Protection Authorities on Identity Systems
In 2019 ID4Africa gathered Data Protection Authorities from across the Continent in Johannesburg, South Africa, for an inaugural roundtable that sought to surface and document DPA perspectives and responses to challenges in identity systems. The DPAs’ thoughts and responses were shared in a 2019 Chatham House report that has been widely read and distributed among DPAs, identity authorities, development agencies, academic institutions, and regulatory bodies. Much has changed since 2019. For the much-needed 2025 status update, the DPAs will gather for an invitation-only, Chatham House roundtable to present their case studies and country updates, and to discuss and identify the most significant issues they are facing today regarding identity systems. The roundtable will include a robust discussion on changes the DPAs would like to see, and the solutions to the challenges they see working in their unique contexts. This roundtable will include by invitation all African Data Protection Authorities and will include nascent and launching Data Protection Offices.
THE AFRICAN DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY AGENDA (PART II)
The A-Z of DPIAs: A joint workshop for Identity and Data Protection Authorities
Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) are increasingly required on the Continent; they are mandatory for Identity Authorities who work in African countries with comprehensive data protection legislation. The Data Protection Authorities in these countries also have significant legal responsibilities regarding DPIAs. Even those countries that have not yet passed data protection measures may find themselves with requests to conduct DPIAs internally or for contractual purposes. DPIAs are a complex and challenging undertaking, and quality matters: DPIAs that are poorly constructed have become lightning rods for tensions with data protection authorities, civil society, lawsuits, and judges.
This invitation-only roundtable brings together key DPIA actors: Identity Authorities and Data Protection Authorities and their key staff. In this closed session, African legal experts who have worked extensively with DPIAs and roundtable participants with extensive DPIA experience and technical identity experience will bring together their knowledge, best practices, and case studies to flag key risk areas. Identity authorities and data protection authorities will be able to speak freely, share mutual and diverging concerns and challenges, and build bridges toward cooperation and understanding. Technical identity authority experts with expertise in aligning ID system technologies and data flows with DPIA requirements and legal structures will share how the technology of ID systems maps to DPIAs.
CHAIRPERSON

Pam DIXON, Founder & Executive Director, World Privacy Forum
WORKSHOP 3
Partners in Progress: A Partnership-Driven Approach to Adoption for Safe and Inclusive Digital ID
Chairing Entities: Co-Develop, UNDP, ISER
This workshop convenes government representatives, development actors across Africa, the private sector, and civil society for a working dialogue on the rationale, scope, and methods for driving such partnerships.
CHAIRPERSONS

Raja CHANDRASEKHARAN, DPI Safeguards Advisor, UNDP

Matthew McNAUGHTON, Director for Inclusion, Safeguards and Civil Society Engagement, Co-Develop

Elizabeth ATORI, Legal Officer, Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER), Uganda

Susan MWAPE, Founder & Executive Director, Common Cause Zambia

Thandeka CHAUKE, Head, Statelessness Unit, Lawyers for Human Rights

Joseph Désiré ZEBAZE, National Coordinator, Cameroon Network of Human Rights Organizations (CNHRO)
WORKSHOP 4
Procurement Strategies for Digital Identity: Build, buy & beyond
Chairing Entity: UNDP
CHAIRPERSONS

Victor MARGALL VON HEGYESHALMY, Governance Procurement Lead, Office of Procurement, UNDP

Chahine HAMILA, e-Gov Senior Advisor & Technologist, UNDP
WORKSHOP 5
Designing Identity Systems in Uncertain Times
Chairing Entity: Caribou Digital
CHAIRPERSON

Dr. Emrys SCHOEMAKER, Senior Director, Advisory & Policy, Caribou Digital