Digital ID is not digital colonialism; it’s an investment in Africa’s future
Digital ID is not digital colonialism; it’s an investment in Africa’s future
Date Released
20 August, 2025
By Robert Karanja, Senior Director, Africa, Co-Develop
Featured in the Mail & Guardian
Africa is on the cusp of a digital transformation, and digital ID is the key to unlocking it. By the end of 2025, there will be 8.5 billion people on Earth, and 25% of these people will be African. By 2100, that number will rise to 4 in 10. Africa is also the youngest continent, with a median age of 18 and 40% of its population under 14. Empowering this generation means more than just smartphones and internet access – it means building the foundational infrastructure to enable people to participate in society, protect their rights, and access opportunities. Digital ID is one of those structures.
With over 500 million Africans still lacking a formal ID, closing this gap represents one of the greatest opportunities for inclusive growth on the continent. There’s already clear evidence of how safe, inclusive digital ID is driving development and improving citizens’ lives across Africa, expanding access to healthcare, education, and financial services. This especially impacts those who have historically been excluded, from women without documentation to rural populations without access to banks.
Let’s Build Future Together.
