Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA is set to begin rolling out electronic identity (E-ID) cards in September 2026 as part of efforts to modernise public service delivery, strengthen digital security and support the country’s e-government programme.
Officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) outlined the initiative during an information-sharing session at the Government Information Centre (GIC) in Windhoek, explaining that the new smart identity cards will enable secure digital verification, online transactions and improved access to government and private sector services.
Control Administrative Officer for Civil Registration at MHAISS, Taddeus Shambalula, said the introduction of the E-ID forms part of the government’s ongoing upgrade of the national identity management system.
He explained that the smart card will contain an embedded chip storing both biometric and biographical information, including the holder’s identity number, names, photograph and fingerprints.
Shambalula said the E-ID will also have a digital identity component, allowing citizens to verify their identities electronically without always presenting a physical identity document.
He added that the initiative supports the Office of the Prime Minister’s e-government strategy by improving identity verification and making public services more accessible.
Director of Architecture at the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr Stefanus van Staden, said the E-ID is a key building block in Namibia’s wider digital transformation agenda.
He explained that the card forms part of a broader digital ecosystem that will allow secure online authentication, electronic signatures and seamless integration between government and private sector systems.
According to Van Staden, the system will enable citizens to access services remotely, reducing the need to visit government offices or financial institutions in person.
He said the technology would also allow different government systems to securely share verified identity information, improving efficiency and reducing duplication.
Van Staden added that the system has already delivered savings through electronic identity verification, including preventing payments to deceased beneficiaries.
He said government has already saved approximately N$16 million on social grants through improved identity verification systems.
The E-ID will also support digital signatures, enabling Namibians to sign official documents electronically while strengthening the security of online transactions.
Addressing concerns about whether the new cards will replace existing identity documents, Shambalula said all current identity cards will remain valid after the rollout begins.
He explained that once implementation starts in September, only E-ID cards will be issued to new applicants, while existing identity cards will remain legally valid until the government formally withdraws them through a Government Gazette notice.
“The rollout of E-ID is scheduled for September 2026,” Shambalula confirmed.
Van Staden said the Office of the Prime Minister has played multiple roles in developing the project, including providing oversight, technology support, quality assurance and management of key components of the national population register on which the E-ID system is built.
He also addressed concerns about cybersecurity, saying the physical smart card itself does not create cyber risks, but that government has strengthened the protection of systems handling electronic identity information.
He said government has adopted international cybersecurity standards, regularly audits critical systems and has established specialised cybersecurity teams to detect and respond to threats.
According to Van Staden, government systems experience more than 1,000 cyberattack attempts each day, with nearly one million attacks recorded during the previous month.
He said authorities have adopted a more proactive approach by identifying vulnerabilities, temporarily taking systems offline where necessary for security updates and strengthening encryption and monitoring capabilities.
Shambalula added that the E-ID will also create opportunities for innovation, secure online service delivery and digital commerce by providing trusted electronic identity verification for businesses and government platforms.
Van Staden said the initiative aligns with Namibia’s digital transformation strategy and, together with digital payment systems and other digital infrastructure, will provide the foundation for businesses and developers to build new digital services and products.
Officials also dismissed misinformation circulating on social media that the new electronic identity system would involve implanting microchips into people.
Shambalula described the claims as false and misleading, stressing that the chip will be embedded only in the E-ID card and not in citizens.
He said the chip functions in much the same way as those already used in electronic passports, bank cards and SIM cards, making identity verification faster and more secure.
“The chip is going to be embedded in the card, not in people. The idea that government will implant chips in human bodies is incorrect,” he said.
Van Staden added that the use of the chip will not be compulsory. He explained that the Civil Registration and Identification Act allows institutions to accept either the physical E-ID card or its digital version, meaning citizens who are uncomfortable using the chip can continue presenting the card in the conventional way.
He also emphasised that personal information can only be shared with an individual’s consent.
Regarding access to the new system, Van Staden said the rollout will make use of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ existing nationwide registration infrastructure, including mobile registration campaigns that regularly serve remote and underserved communities.
“The current ID application process is exactly the same. The infrastructure is already in place, so we are not introducing an entirely new registration system,” he said.
Addressing concerns over privacy, Shambalula said citizens’ personal information will remain confidential and protected under the Civil Registration and Identification Act of 2024, with additional safeguards expected under forthcoming data protection legislation.
Van Staden added that, while cybersecurity remains a priority, internal misuse of information often poses a greater risk than external cyberattacks. He said the Ministry has strict access controls, encryption and auditing measures to ensure only authorised personnel can access sensitive personal data.
Looking ahead, Van Staden acknowledged that the biggest challenge will not be the technology itself, but integrating the new system into existing government processes and encouraging widespread adoption across public and private institutions.
He said government is developing authentication tools, technical standards and support systems that will allow businesses, including small and medium enterprises, to make use of the E-ID infrastructure.
Officials further assured the public that the electronic identity system will not be used to track or monitor citizens.
“The main objective for introducing the E-ID is simply to improve efficiency in service delivery, not to trace citizens. That notion is incorrect and misleading,” Shambalula said.
He confirmed that the E-ID is legally recognised under the Civil Registration and Identification Act of 2024, while Van Staden added that electronic transactions using the new identity system are also supported by Namibia’s Electronic Transactions Act.
The officials said the E-ID will strengthen access to digital government services by enabling secure online verification for services such as healthcare, education, social protection and other public programmes, reducing the need for citizens to visit government offices in person.
Shambalula also revealed that the new E-ID will introduce a randomly generated identity number that is no longer linked to a person’s date of birth, improving privacy. Existing identity numbers will still appear on the back of replacement cards to ensure compatibility with older government and private sector systems, while first-time applicants will receive only the new randomly generated number.
The rollout marks a significant step in Namibia’s digital transformation, with the E-ID expected to become the foundation for more secure, efficient and accessible public and private sector services.
Photos: MICT
