Malawi’s new digital identity system could face challenges in reaching citizens because of low smartphone ownership and digital literacy levels.
Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba said only 33 percent of the population owns a smartphone, while just 12.5 percent has basic internet usage skills.
Namalomba said the gaps could hinder widespread adoption of the Nzika Digital ID Wallet, which was officially launched on Wednesday at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
He called for collaboration between the private sector, civil society, academia and other stakeholders to ensure that no citizen is left behind in the country’s digital transformation.
Namalomba urged business leaders to invest in local smartphone assembly plants to make mobile devices more affordable and increase access to digital services.
He also called on academia and non-governmental organisations to introduce community digital training initiatives to improve digital literacy.
The minister said the collective efforts are in line with the Malawi 2063 agenda.
The Nzika Digital ID Wallet complements the existing physical National Identity Card by providing citizens with a digital version of their identity credentials.
The platform allows citizens to securely access and present verified identity credentials digitally.
At the launch, Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito also announced that National Identity Cards would no longer have expiry dates.
Mukhito said citizens will have the option of continuing to use the physical card or adopting a digital credential through the Nzika Digital ID Wallet.
“Those who prefer a physical card will continue to use it. Those willing and able to use a digital credential will now have that option,” he said.
He said the Government is committed to modernising public services and making them more accessible, efficient and responsive to citizens’ needs.
