Rwanda has officially launched a nationwide program to register and photograph citizens as part of preparations to issue Digital National Identity Cards (e-ID), marking a major step in the country’s digital transformation agenda.
The exercise, which began this Saturday, focuses on verifying citizens’ identities and capturing biometric data to enable the issuance of secure, technology-driven national IDs that will improve access to public and private services.
Speaking at the launch, the Director General of the National Identification Agency (NIDA), Mukesha Josephine, highlighted both the significance of the initiative and the challenges currently facing its implementation.
“This program is designed to ensure that every eligible Rwandan has a secure and reliable digital identity that can be used across multiple services,” Mukesha said.
“However, we are still facing some challenges, including limited awareness among citizens, technical constraints in certain areas, and the need for sufficient registration equipment and trained personnel.”
She emphasized that NIDA is working closely with local authorities to address these obstacles and ensure the process runs smoothly across the country.
“We are gradually resolving these issues by increasing public sensitization, strengthening our technical capacity, and deploying additional resources where needed,” she added.
“Our goal is to make this service accessible, efficient, and inclusive for all citizens.”
The Digital National ID is expected to enhance service delivery by enabling faster verification, reducing paperwork, and supporting Rwanda’s broader e-government and digital economy initiatives.
Authorities have encouraged citizens to cooperate with registration teams and to present themselves for identity verification when the exercise reaches their respective areas, noting that the digital ID will play a key role in future access to services.
The rollout reflects Rwanda’s continued commitment to leveraging technology to improve governance, efficiency, and citizen convenience.
By Andrew Shyaka
