Windhoek: Government has committed to ensuring legal identity for all Namibians by 2030, with the electronic identity (e-ID) initiative forming part of efforts to strengthen identity management in the digital age. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Edward Wambo made the commitment during the commemoration of International Identity Day at Dr Lemmer High School in Rehoboth on Wednesday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the event was held under the theme, 'My Identity, My Shadow. Never Apart', and focused on the importance of civil registration, identity documents and digital identity, particularly among children and young people. Wambo said the identity journey begins at birth through the ministry's e-Birth Notification System, which enables births at health facilities to be reported electronically.
He said the National Population Registration System maintains a continuous record throughout the different stages of a person's life, including the issuance of identity cards and passports, as well as the registration of marriages, children and deaths. 'Yet we must be honest: this journey is not yet complete for everyone,' Wambo said, noting that late birth registration remains a challenge, while some people in remote and marginalised communities remain undocumented.
He said the ministry, through its regional offices, outreach campaigns and partnerships with traditional leaders, schools, health facilities, the police and development partners, aims to ensure legal identity for all by 2030. Wambo also explained the government's e-ID initiative, describing the e-ID as a smart card containing a secure electronic chip that stores a person's photograph and fingerprints.
He said the system is intended to enable secure identity verification and facilitate access to services such as banking and government services, while protecting personal information. 'Go home and ask whether every child in your household has a birth certificate. Ask whether your older siblings have their identity documents. If the answer is no, bring them to us,' he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Registrar Jackson Wandjiva said International Identity Day is linked to Sustainable Development Goal 16.9, which calls for legal identity for all, including birth registration. Wandjiva said identity documents provide access to essential services, including education, healthcare, banking and employment, as well as other aspects of civic life.
He said the commemoration also raises awareness about identity in the digital age, where people increasingly need to prove their identity securely and privately online. The event also highlighted the role of young people in promoting awareness about the importance of legal and digital identity.