Zambia programs national digital ID rollout for year-end

Zambian authorities have assured that citizens will begin receiving their national digital ID cards by the close of the current year.

The information was disclosed recently by Percy Chinyama, National Coordinator of the SMART Zambia Institute, the government agency overseeing the country’s digital transformation journey. A press release was issued during a working visit to the United States.

The digital ID rollout will be a milestone in the implementation of the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP), the official said, adding that much progress has already been recorded, as evidenced by the digitization of several public sector services.

“We have made tremendous progress under the project. By the end of 2026, Zambia will have digital identification cards. Our work focuses on digital ID systems, infrastructure development, e-services, and capacity building,” Chinyama said, as quoted.

He added that “the World Bank has expressed satisfaction with the progress made, which may result in additional support for Zambia’s digitalization efforts.”

Chinyama also spoke of a directive by President Hakainde Hichilema for the digitization of more government services in order to enhance efficiency and accessibility for users.

The DZAP is a project with $100 million funding from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA). It aims to digitally transform Zambia by supporting the building of efficient digital public infrastructure that facilitates access to public services.

Zambia’s digital transformation under the DZAP is part of the second phase of the Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Program, which was approved by the World Bank in June 2024.  This is an initiative with multi-phase funding that amounts to around $2.48 billion, and is designed to support digital transformation in 15 African counties over an eight-year period.

With regional coordination by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the IDEA program is built around three technical pillars which are affordable broadband and secure hosting, digital public infrastructure, and skills and innovation.

Recently, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) signed an MoU to support Zambia’s digital transformation efforts. The partnership, they say, will help country particularly to enhance digital transformation and digital inclusion with the goal of improving public sector performance, expanding connectivity, and empowering rural communities with digital tools and skills.

Zambia also has a digital transformation partnership with Ethiopia, described by experts as a good example of South-South digital cooperation.

Article Topics

digital ID  |  government services  |  identity management  |  national ID  |  SMART Zambia  |  Zambia