2025 Conference – ID4AFRICA 2025

CONFERENCE

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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

Click here to download the program

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

8:30 – 9:30

PS0: OPENING ADDRESSES

• State of ID4Africa & ID4D Address

• Host Country Welcome Address

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.

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

S2: SPOTLIGHT: i-ON-ETHIOPIA
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]

This segment showcases Ethiopia’s whole-of-government approach to identity development, emphasizing the power of collaboration. It examines how stakeholders align efforts to drive Fayda enrollment and expand its use across sectors, fostering a robust, inclusive identity framework for national development.

PANELISTS

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.

FEATURED COUNTRIES

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.

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.

PANELISTS

S2: STANDARDIZATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]

This panel brings together chairs of three key ISO subcommittees shaping digital identity standards. Experts discuss how standardization drives sustainable development, innovation and interoperability, while ensuring security and inclusivity. The session also explores Africa’s role in global standards, with ISO inviting participation. A must-attend for policymakers and innovators advancing the digital identity agenda.

PANELISTS

S3: ACHIEVING SUCCESS: INSIGHTS FROM FORMER ID AUTHORITY LEADERS

[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.

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.

SPEAKER

18:00 – 20:00

GRAND NETWORKING & RECEPTION

MORNING SESSIONS

8:30 – 10:15

PS3: THE SOLUTIONS FORUM: DIGITAL IDENTITY IN USE (PART I)

The Solutions Forum, divided into two parts (PS3 & PS4), highlights real-world use cases of digital identity, focusing on solution strategies in several key sectors adopting digital identity in Africa. It covers lessons learned and explores the potential for scaling these solutions. After each presentation, attendees can engage with speakers through a dedicated Q&A. This Forum offers a compelling overview of promising and proven solutions that can be adapted and implemented in other countries, making it a must-attend event. The Forum is structured into segments focused on the three sectors that have been most impacted by digital identity and transformation, namely: Financial (PS3), Travel (PS4: S1) and Health (PS4:S2).

Please Note: The Solutions Forum lineup is carefully curated from proposals submitted by solution providers in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP). Selections are based on merit and alignment with this year’s theme. Each candidate undergoes a rigorous competitive interview and validation process, and their presentation content is subject to comprehensive editorial review and quality control to ensure relevance, accuracy and excellence.

S1: SOLUTIONS FORUM KEYNOTE 1
[Presentation]

SPEAKER

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

10:15 – 11:45

NETWORKING BREAK & EXHIBITION

11:45 – 13:30

PS4: THE SOLUTIONS FORUM: DIGITAL IDENTITY IN USE (PART II)

Continuation of PS3

S1: SOLUTIONS FORUM KEYNOTE 2
[Presentations]

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

S3: HEALTHCARE USE CASES
[Presentations + Q&A]

The health sector offers very compelling use cases for digital identity and is emerging as a key driver for enrollment of the population. In this segment, some of the leading use cases in Africa will be presented by deeply experienced organizations that have accompanied government agencies in Africa in their quest to adopt digital solutions for managing universal health insurance requirements and patient identification.

SPEAKERS

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]

This session examines the need to modernize legal frameworks governing the identity ecosystem, to address the demands of the digital era. It emphasizes the pivotal role these reforms play in combating discrimination, preventing exclusion, and mitigating emerging digital threats. Through four detailed case studies from Africa, participants gain insights into real-world experiences with legal reform. Each case study explores the motivations behind the changes, the reform processes, lessons learned, challenges encountered, and the outcomes achieved. The session provides actionable guidance on crafting laws that balance innovation and accountability, enhance transparency, and foster trust in digital systems.

FEATURED COUNTRIES

• PANEL DISCUSSION + Q&A

S2: PROVEN POLICIES FOR INCLUSION
[Presentations + Q&A]

This session showcases presentations from distinguished representatives of leading research organizations, providing an in-depth look at their latest findings. The speakers delve into evidence of exclusion, spotlight effective policies and strategies for fostering inclusion, and analyze the transformative impact of inclusive practices on communities. The session concludes with an interactive Q&A, allowing attendees to engage directly with the experts.

SPEAKERS

S3: FOSTERING TRUST AND RESPECTING DIGNITY IN DIGITAL SYSTEMS
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]

This session explores how digital systems can serve as powerful tools for inclusion by addressing systemic discrimination and enhancing consent practices in Africa. It focuses on empowering citizens to move beyond being mere data subjects, ensuring they retain the right to provide informed and specific consent whenever their data is accessed—rather than relying solely on blanket consent at the point of enrollment.

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.

PANELISTS

14:30 – 17:30

PS5B: DPI FOR DEVELOPMENT

This session explores the critical role of sustainable Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in driving inclusive digital transformation and societal growth, focusing on three interconnected pillars: interoperability, governance and ecosystem. Through expert-led discussions and case studies, participants delve into actionable strategies for building DPIs that are resilient, scalable, and impactful.

S1: OPENING REMARKS
[Presentation]

This presentation highlights DPI as the digital equivalent of physical infrastructure and explains its potential to lower costs, foster innovation, and increase inclusion. It then explores the interplay between DPI and DPG, emphasizing that while DPGs promise innovation and equitable access, their successful implementation demands significant investment in infrastructure, capacity building, and ecosystem development—just like DPIs. Drawing on real-world examples and detailed cost analyses, the speaker illustrates how governments can generate sustainable value by harmonizing open innovation with critical considerations such as security, capacity building, and market dynamics. This insightful talk equips decision-makers with a practical framework to harness the power of DPGs and DPIs while fostering sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystems.

S2: INTEROPERABILITY AND STANDARDS: THE BACKBONE OF DPIs
[Panel Discussion + Q&A ]

This expert panel delves into the crucial role of interoperability in the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) ecosystems. Panelists discuss the foundational requirements for achieving interoperability, the development community’s commitment to its adoption, and the critical role of standards in enabling seamless integration. The session explores challenges in designing and governing international standards, ensuring robust security, and building interoperable systems that effectively serve both the public and private sectors while advancing global development goals.

PANELISTS

S3: SCALING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PROJECTS INTO ECOSYSTEMS
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]

This session examines the pivotal role of robust ecosystems in sustaining DPI. It emphasizes the enabling environment necessary for systems—whether standards-based or open-source—to achieve scale, resilience, and long-term sustainability. Recognizing that no government system can thrive in isolation, the discussion highlights the importance of embedding DPI within a comprehensive ecosystem that solves real-world problems and drives innovation. The session delves into what is needed to build such ecosystems, strategies to foster collaboration, and the critical role of public-private partnerships in creating an enabling infrastructure. Additionally, it explores the policies, incentives, and frameworks required to nurture ecosystems where DPIs, including DPGs, can flourish and deliver inclusive development outcomes for nations.

PANELISTS

S4: THE AFRICAN DIGITAL IDENTITY HACKATHON
[Presentations + Q&A]

This segment provides an overview and status update on the four regional Hackathon events launched in 2024 by the Upanzi Network, led by Carnegie Mellon University Africa, in collaboration with MicroSave, and successfully concluded in 2025. It highlights the winning teams, their innovative ideas, and the next steps in a program that has garnered substantial engagement across African universities. With participation from several hundred students organized into dozens of teams, the hackathons have generated high-impact digital ID use cases, based on DPGs and DPIs, across diverse sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, public service access, and more.

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

13:30 – 14:30

NETWORKING LUNCH

14:30 – 18:30

AFTERNOON SYMPOSIUMS

SYMPOSIUM 1

Digital Identity

P3: Digital Credentials

P4: Data Risks & Governance

SYMPOSIUM 2

Legal Identity

P3: In The Context of Migration & Mobility

P4: Interoperability in Migration & Mobility

TRACK 3

Identity in Finance

P3: Empowering Inclusive Financial Services

P4: Building the Financial Stack

DAY 3 IN DETAIL

MORNING SYMPOSIUMS

8:30 – 10:30

T1-P1: DIGITAL IDENTITY: GLOBAL ADOPTION LANDSCAPE & FOUNDATIONS FOR ROBUSTNESS

This high-impact session brings together world-renowned experts to explore the opportunities and challenges of digital identity, setting the stage for the day’s discussions. It begins with a keynote on global adoption trends, examining diverse strategies across Europe, the USA, India, Africa, and Asia. Next, the session highlights biometrics as the foundation of secure digital identity, addressing cutting-edge techniques, vulnerabilities, and best practices. It then explores liveness detection and fraud prevention, emphasizing trust and resilience. Finally, theory meets practice with a deep dive into Aadhaar’s implementation of advanced liveness technology across all biometric modalities. Attendees gain actionable insights for building robust, secure and inclusive digital identity ecosystems.

S1: THE GLOBAL LANDSCAPE OF DIGITAL IDENTITY ADOPTION
[Presentation]

Digital identity systems are transforming how societies manage identification and authentication, with implementations as diverse as the cultures they serve. This presentation surveys the global landscape of digital identity adoption, revealing how regions have crafted distinct approaches that reflect their unique contexts and challenges. From Europe’s sophisticated eIDAS framework to India’s pioneering Aadhaar system, and from Africa’s emerging inclusive digital identity to the mDL federation frameworks that are rapidly gaining momentum in the USA, the presentation highlights the rich tapestry of implementation strategies. Through analysis of these varied approaches, the presentation illuminates both the remarkable diversity of possible solutions and the fundamental building blocks that contribute to successful digital identity systems.

SPEAKER

S2: BIOMETRICS: THE CORNERSTONE OF DIGITAL IDENTITY
[Presentation + Q&A]

This presentation provides an overview of best practices and state-of-the-art techniques for using biometrics to bind credentials to their rightful owners and ensure secure transaction authentication. It covers the latest in methods such as face selfies, remote fingerprints, and multi-factor authentication (MFA), as well as some of their vulnerabilities including morphing attack detection, deepfakes and other AI-driven fraud, and injection attacks. This segment aims to equip participants with actionable insights into cutting-edge tools that ensure digital identity systems remain secure, resilient, and trustworthy.

SPEAKER

S3: LIVENESS DETECTION AND ROBUSTNESS AGAINST FRAUD
[Presentation + Q&A]

Building on the previous presentation, this segment delves into the critical role of liveness detection in preventing fraud and reinforcing trust in digital identity systems. It explores the latest advances in both software- and hardware-based liveness detection methods, including device-specific approaches. In addition, it presents key efforts by international organizations to establish standards and certifications for liveness practices, as well as strategies to address diverse fraud vectors that can undermine digital identity systems.

SPEAKER

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

S5: PANEL DISCUSSION + Q&A

11:30 – 13-30

T2-P1: LEGAL IDENTITY: PROGRESS IN BIRTH REGISTRATION & DIGITALIZATION (PART 1/4)

The day-long symposium on legal identity kicks off with an overview of the progress made in birth registration across the continent. This includes an in-depth examination of the policies implemented, their impact on registration efforts, and the key lessons learned.

S1: CONTINENTAL PROGRESS AND POLICIES DRIVING IT
[Presentations + Q&A]

The segment includes summary findings from UNICEF’s new report on Birth Registration research as well as testimonies of African countries that have made progress in boosting their registration rates.

S2: COUNTRY PERSPECTIVES ON PROGRESS
[Presentations + Q&A]

COUNTRY PRESENTATIONS

8:30 – 10:30

T3-P1: DIGITAL PUBLIC GOODS IN USE

This session showcases the transformative potential of Digital Public Goods (DPGs) through real-world use cases. Featuring five prominent DPGs, the session bridges the gap between innovation and implementation by pairing the developers of these DPGs with country representatives actively deploying them. Together, they explore how these tools address critical challenges in areas such as cash transfers for farmers and disaster relief, unique social protection registers and programs, universal health insurance schemes, and other health applications such as Malaria vaccination. The session highlights how DPGs can foster inclusive, efficient, and sustainable development globally.

S1: THE DPGA AND THE 50-IN-5 INITIATIVE
[Presentation]

SPEAKER

S2: OPENG2P
[Joint Presentation]

SPEAKERS

S3: MOSIP
[Joint Presentation]

SPEAKERS

S4: OPENIMIS
[Joint Presentation]

SPEAKERS

S5: DIGIT
[Joint Presentation]

SPEAKERS

S6: OPENSPP
[Joint Presentation]

SPEAKERS

10:30 – 11:30

NETWORKING BREAK & EXHIBITION

11:30 – 13-30

T1- P2: DIGITAL IDENTITY: DATA SHARING & INTEROPERABILITY– INTERAGENCY & WALLETS (PART 2/4)

Trusted data sharing enables more efficient service delivery and drives innovation. This session explores ongoing efforts to address data sharing and interoperability within the digital identity ecosystem, focusing on governance principles, backend interoperability, and user-centric wallet solutions. A holistic view of the data sharing ecosystem is crucial, including its interactions with multiple ecosystems. Key considerations include data quality, metadata (e.g., provenance), data governance, risk management, and foundational elements like data classification. The session examines varied implementation architectures, emphasizing the importance of aligning with existing systems and services. The session also discusses options for centralized and decentralized approaches, highlighting how they can complement, rather than compete with each other.

S1: THE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE WITH DATA SHARING PLATFORMS
[Presentations + Panel + Q&A]

Expert practitioners from five African countries (including Tunisia which is covered by the moderator) share their firsthand experiences with implementing interagency data-sharing platforms. The session delves into the selection and deployment of these platforms, emphasizing the technical and organizational challenges of achieving interoperability. Panelists engage with the session moderator to discuss their countries’ respective approaches to designing architectures that support seamless collaboration, promote trust among stakeholders, and address the unique identification needs of diverse sectors.

FEATURED COUNTRIES:

S2: PANEL DISCUSSION & Q&A

S3: USER-CENTRIC DATA SHARING PLATFORMS: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
[Presentation]

This segment combines insights on the global architectures for seamless, trusted data exchange with a focus on user-centric and decentralized approaches. It explores how backend systems and data sharing platforms can enable interoperability between interagency systems and wallets, addressing critical challenges like scalability, redundancy, and secure data flow. The session also delves into wallets as privacy-preserving tools that empower users through consent management, robust governance, authentication, and assurance models. Discussions cover how wallets facilitate user-centered data sharing, enhance mobility, and support trusted identity interactions – from verification and issuance to authentication and authorization.

SPEAKER

8:30 – 10:30

T2-P2: LEGAL IDENTITY: UNLOCKING THE POWER OF SYNERGIES-CR, HEALTH & ID (PART 2/4)

The legal identity symposium continues through a series of segments that explore the synergies between civil registration, health and ID. In addition, it provides an important update on the African CRVS Shared Asset (ACSA), which was officially launched at the 2023 AGM to harmonize civil registration practices in Africa. 

S1: HARNESSING HEALTH SYNERGY: BOOSTING BIRTH AND DEATH REGISTRATION
[Presentations + Q&A]

This session explores the critical synergy between health systems and Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) to strengthen birth and death registration. It highlights successful strategies, evidence-based approaches, and opportunities for collaboration. It also presents several case studies from African countries who have already made significant progress in realizing the potential synergies.

COUNTRIES’ PERSPECTIVE

S2: OVERCOMING THE BARRIERS OF INTEGRATION OF CIVIL REGISTRATION AND ID
[Panel Discussion + Q&A]

This panel explores the transformative potential of linking Civil Registration and Identification (ID) systems to establish universal, robust, and inclusive legal identities. It addresses the critical barriers to effective integration, including the need for reforms in business practices and updates to legal and policy frameworks. The discussion highlights various integration models, such as institutional alignment and integration, system-level consolidation, and data-level harmonization with interoperability, emphasizing their respective advantages and challenges. The session offers actionable insights for Civil Registration entities and National Identity Authorities, equipping them with strategies to plan and implement effective linkages that ensure a seamless and inclusive identity ecosystem.

UN AGENCIES’ PERSPECTIVE

PANELISTS

S3: CREATING THE NORMS FOR DIGITALIZATION OF CR: THE ACSA INITIATIVE
[Presentations]

PRESENTATIONS

11:30 – 13-30

T3- P2: UNIVERSAL DPX SAFEGUARDS IN ACTION

This session offers a deep dive into the state of DPI across the world, with a special focus on Africa. It analyzes the prevalence of DPIs and explores how countries can measure the public value it delivers. The discussion then shifts to the common obstacles that undermine DPI adoption and how inclusion and safeguarding practices can aid governments in achieving society-wide participation. The Universal DPI Safeguards Toolkit will be brought to life through a panel discussion featuring three countries sharing their safeguards approaches and how they help them improve their outcomes; such as enrollment and usage of the system. The session concludes with a fireside chat with three organizations sharing how they are building Safeguards into their programs, lessons learned, challenges faced, and opportunities for collaboration.

PANEL DISCUSSION

13:30 – 14:30

LUNCH & NETWORKING

AFTERNOON SYMPOSIUMS

14:30 – 16:30

T1- P3: DIGITAL IDENTITY: DIGITAL CREDENTIALS (PART 3/4)

This session explores the diverse landscape of digital identity credentials, focusing on their potential to enhance secure and inclusive identity systems. It examines some of the most promising credential types, including mobile IDs (mDoc) for secure and portable identity on mobile devices, Digital Travel Credentials (DTC) for seamless cross-border movement, and W3C Verifiable Credentials (VCs) for user-centric, interoperable digital trust. The discussion also addresses the unpinnings of these digital credential types by the physical credentials including the eIDs, and the critical role of standardization in ensuring interoperability and scalability across systems. By diving into these cutting-edge solutions, participants gain insights into how different credentials can meet the varying needs of identity ecosystems.

S1:DIGITAL CREDENTIALS: DIVERSITY, UNDERPINNINGS, AND THE LATEST ADDITION
[Presentation + Q&A]

Scene-setting overview by moderator, showing the range of different credentials and their use. The session culminates in a detailed presentation on the latest addition to this family, the mDoc (ISO 1803-7 2024) which is gaining significant attention. The session includes an overview of the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17 subcommittee on credentials, explaining the underpinning of today’s current digital credentials and the roadmap for what is ahead.

MODERATOR AND SPEAKER

S2: ICAO-STANDARDIZED CREDENTIAL FORMATS
[Presentations + Q&A]

PRESENTATIONS

S3: W3C VERIFIABLE CREDENTIALS AND DECENTRALIZATION OF TRUST
[Presentation + Q&A]

SPEAKERS

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.

This session delves into the complex challenges of establishing and sustaining legal identity within the framework of migration and mobility. It also explores the impact of digital transformation and innovation on migration.

S1: LEGAL IDENTITY FOR MIGRANTS
[Presentation + Q&A]

This segment explores the demand for legal identity for migrants, including the importance for sustainable and rights-based return and reintegration. It also covers the role of consular support in obtaining or restoring legal identity.

SPEAKER

S2: LEGAL IDENTITY FOR REFUGEES
[Presentation + Q&A]

This segment provides an overview of the specific legal identity issues encountered in emergencies and refugee contexts.

SPEAKER

S3: LEGAL IDENTITY & STATELESSNESS
[Panel]

This segment delves into efforts to address the root causes of legal identity breakdowns that lead to statelessness. It features updates on the recently adopted African Union Protocol on Statelessness and the Right to Nationality, as well as the progress of the Alliance to End Statelessness. The session highlights key actions and strategies being implemented to combat this pressing issue, eliminate barriers to legal identity, and address the associated humanitarian impact.

PANELISTS

S4: INNOVATIONS IN DIGITAL IDENTITY FOR MIGRATION
[Presentation]

This segment examines the transformative impact of digitalizing legal identity systems on migration management and mobility. It introduces a comprehensive digital identity toolkit, providing adaptable frameworks and tools to enhance border management and address migration challenges. It also showcases an innovative digital credential designed to facilitate regular migration and enable seamless, secure border crossings.

PRESENTATIONS

14:30 – 16:30

T3- P3: IDENTITY IN FINANCE: EMPOWERING INCLUSIVE FINANCIAL SERVICES

This session explores the transformative potential of digital identity in reshaping financial systems across Africa. Experts and central bankers from diverse countries share experiences, challenges and key lessons learned in integrating digital identity into financial systems.

S1: OPENING PRESENTATION

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

S2: DIGITAL IDENTITY ADOPTION: DRIVING FINANCIAL SECTOR TRANSFORMATION
[Presentations + Q&A]

This segment features a series of brief presentations from representatives from six African banking institutions, followed by a panel discussion. Participants gain a comprehensive understanding of how digital identity can drive financial inclusion, enhance regulatory practices, and create innovative pathways, with insights into the foundational building blocks needed for successful implementation tailored to unique national contexts and development stages.

FEATURED COUNTRIES

S3: PANEL DISCUSSION + Q&A

S4: CLOSING PRESENTATION

This closing presentation explains, how risk-based and outcomes-based regulatory approaches can balance innovation with compliance, fostering both inclusiveness and adherence to global standards.

16:30 – 17:30

NETWORKING BREAK & EXHIBITION

17:30 – 18:30

T1- P4: DIGITAL IDENTITY: DATA RISKS & GOVERNANCE (PART 4/4)

This panel discussion delves into the critical topic of data risks and data governance in the digital identity ecosystem. Featuring representatives from African Data Protection Authorities (DPAs), the session explores how to identify, mitigate, and govern risks associated with the collection, sharing, and use of identity data. The five-member panel provides diverse perspectives on balancing innovation with the need to safeguard privacy, security, and trust. Participants gain actionable insights into creating resilient, rights-based data governance frameworks.

PANELISTS

17:30 – 18:30

T2- P4: LEGAL IDENTITY: INTEROPERABILITY IN MIGRATION AND MOBILITY (PART 4/4)

While interoperability in migration can improve the delivery of assistance by enabling more holistic and efficient coordination, it also carries risks. One major concern is double registration, where individuals appear in multiple databases or are recorded in both national and humanitarian registers. This can lead to denial of national rights and other potential violations. This panel examines strategies to prevent data conflicts, strengthen system integrity, and promote responsible interoperability that safeguards individuals’ rights while maximizing efficiency.

PANELISTS

17:30 – 18:30

T3- P4: IDENTITY IN FINANCE: BUILDING THE FINANCIAL STACK (PART 2/2)

S1: FROM DPI TO THE FINANCIAL STACK
[Presentation]

This segment features a scene-setting presentation providing an overview of the foundational components, strategic vision and recent examples of national unified financial stacks.

SPEAKER

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.

PANELISTS

18:30

END OF DAY 3

ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS

Workshops at ID4Africa offer a distinct experience from conference sessions, differing in structure, engagement, and outcomes. They are intentionally less formal and highly interactive, fostering open Q&A, direct attendee contributions, and in-depth discussions through brainstorming and networking. While ID4Africa provides overall coordination, chairing entities have the editorial flexibility to spotlight critical issues in identity development and introduce diverse expertise and innovative approaches that enhance our AGM activities.

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.

Please Note: All workshops, except Workshops 2 and 3, are open to the AGM registered attendees, room capacity permitting. Workshops 2 and 3 are by invitation only.

WORKSHOPS AT A GLANCE

8:30 – 14:00

ALL WORKSHOPS

WORKSHOP 1

E-Signatures, PKI and Consent Management: Enabling high-trust digital transactions

Chairing Entity: The World Bank

WORKSHOP 2

The African Data Protection and Privacy Agenda

Chairing Entity: World Privacy Forum

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.

Three transversal types of trust services can help achieve these objectives: Electronic Signatures (e-signatures), Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and Consent Management. This workshop will provide practical insights into how these tools help contribute to establishing a high-trust environment for DPI, and support secure, interoperable, and rights-respecting use of digital ID across sectors and borders.

OBJECTIVES

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

1. 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.

1. 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.

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

WORKSHOP 2

The African Data Protection and Privacy Agenda

Chairing Entity: World Privacy Forum

This workshop is by invitation only and conducted under Chatham House rules with no media or observers present in order to facilitate open conversations.

This dynamic workshop will consist of two roundtables:

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

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 focuses on the critical importance of partnerships in promoting the adoption of digital ID. Effective partnerships are built on trust, which is also a critical driver for the adoption of digital IDs. The workshop highlights societal outcomes that effective partnerships can generate, in processes of developing safe and inclusive Digital ID. Furthermore, the workshop explores how a collaborative environment for reflection, dialogue, and joint action can cultivate this trust and contribute to broader development goals enabled by foundational digital ID.

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

WORKSHOP 4

Procurement Strategies for Digital Identity: Build, buy & beyond

Chairing Entity: UNDP

This workshop examines the range of possibilities between custom development and vendor solutions for digital identity systems. It focuses on providing insights into designing scalable, sustainable, and adaptable systems. Discussions center on structuring procurement models that balance innovation with cost control, ensuring vendor engagement through competitive and transparent processes, and responsibly integrating emerging technologies such as AI. The workshop also addresses strategies for hybrid solutions, lifecycle cost management, and fostering regional collaborations to enhance sustainability and value.

CHAIRPERSONS

WORKSHOP 5

Designing Identity Systems in Uncertain Times

Chairing Entity: Caribou Digital

This workshop explores how changes and uncertainty in development and humanitarian aid are impacting the identification needs of the most vulnerable, and the implications of these for identity providers. The identity sector is being greatly impacted by ongoing economic and geopolitical developments. The workshop discusses the implications of ongoing cuts and uncertainty to international aid for both aid recipients and identification initiatives in Africa. States, citizens, and marginalized communities including refugees and recipients of humanitarian aid will be affected by unexpected changes to international aid. The workshop unpacks the implications of these changes for the way support is provided to vulnerable communities, especially refugees and migrants. This includes exploring the implications of significant reductions in humanitarian aid for states that host vulnerable communities, and their expanded role and requirements in identification management. This panel discusses what these current upheavals in geopolitics and aid mean for the digital identity sector and those most in need of identification, and consider how to design inclusive systems in this uncertain context. The workshop consists of presentation of research, panel presentations by representatives of vulnerable communities and open discussion to generate recommendations for identity providers to meet changing needs in uncertain times.

CONFERENCE

Add to your Calendar

Theme in 2025:

Digital Identity at Scale: Prioritizing use, accelerating impact

THE 3 PILLARS OF THIS THEME

Scale

Use

Impact

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

Click here to download the program

8:30 – 9:30

PS0: OPENING ADDRESSES

9:30 – 11:00

OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION & REFRESHMENTS

11:00 – 14:00

PS1: DIGITAL IDENTITY PROGRESS IN AFRICA

PANELISTS

14:00 – 15:30

LUNCH & EXTENDED NETWORKING

15:30 – 18:30

PS2: DIGITAL IDENTITY & THE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

18:00 – 20:00

GRAND NETWORKING & RECEPTION

MORNING SESSIONS

8:30 – 10:15

PS3: THE SOLUTIONS FORUM: DIGITAL IDENTITY IN USE (PART I)

10:15 – 11:45

NETWORKING BREAK & EXHIBITION

11:45 – 13:30

PS4: THE SOLUTIONS FORUM: DIGITAL IDENTITY IN USE (PART II)

13:30 – 14:30

LUNCH & NETWORKING

14:30 – 17:30

PS5A: FROM DATA TO DIGNITY: GUARDRAILING DIGITAL IDENTITY

FEATURED COUNTRIES

• PANEL DISCUSSION + Q&A

SPEAKERS

PANELISTS

14:30 – 17:30

PS5B: DPI FOR DEVELOPMENT

PANELISTS

PANELISTS

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

TRACK 3 Digital Public Goods

13:30 – 14:30

NETWORKING LUNCH

14:30 – 18:30

AFTERNOON SYMPOSIUMS

SYMPOSIUM 1 Digital Identity

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

SPEAKER

SPEAKER

SPEAKER

SPEAKER

11:30 – 13-30

T2-P1: LEGAL IDENTITY: PROGRESS IN BIRTH REGISTRATION & DIGITALIZATION (PART 1/4)

COUNTRY PRESENTATIONS

8:30 – 10:30

T3-P1: DIGITAL PUBLIC GOODS IN USE

SPEAKER

SPEAKERS

SPEAKERS

SPEAKERS

SPEAKERS

SPEAKERS

10:30 – 11:30

NETWORKING BREAK & EXHIBITION

SYMPOSIUM 1

Digital Identity

SYMPOSIUM 2

Legal Identity

TRACK 3

Digital Public Goods

SYMPOSIUM 1

Digital Identity

SYMPOSIUM 2

Legal Identity

TRACK 3

Identity in Finance