2017年-世界发展银行全球_The_State_of_Identification_Systems_in_Africa___A_Synthesis_of_Country_Assessments_68页_7mb

Summary of The State of Identification Systems in Africa

Core Content

This report provides an analysis of identification systems across 17 African countries, conducted as part of the World Bank Group's (WBG) Identification for Development (ID4D) initiative. It evaluates the current state of identity ecosystems based on five dimensions: administration, accessibility, technology, integration, and legal frameworks. The goal is to support the development of robust, inclusive, and interoperable identity systems that enable individuals to access essential services and participate in the economy.

Main Findings

Ecosystem Overview

• Coverage and Robustness: Identity systems vary widely in development. Some countries (e.g., Botswana, Kenya, Morocco, Rwanda) have relatively advanced systems, while others (e.g., DRC, Guinea, Liberia) have non-existent or newly emerging systems.
• Fragmentation: Most countries have multiple, disconnected identity systems. Foundational systems like civil registration and national IDs are often managed by different agencies, leading to duplication and inefficiency.
• Legal Identity: Legal identity systems are not always linked to nationality, and some countries rely on local ID systems (e.g., kebele cards in Ethiopia) as primary proof of identity.

Governance: Institutions and Capacity

• Institutional Arrangements: Identity systems are often governed by multiple ministries. Only a few countries have autonomous identification agencies.
• Fiscal Sustainability: Most identity systems are funded through line items in national budgets, but underfunding and limited technical capacity persist.
• ICT Infrastructure: A lack of reliable internet and power is a major barrier to the development and utility of identity systems.

Inclusivity: Barriers and Constraints to Enrollment

• High Costs: Users face high direct and indirect costs for obtaining identity credentials.
• Complex Requirements: Legal and administrative procedures are often too complex, deterring enrollment.
• Paper-Based Systems: Many countries still rely on paper-based records, which are vulnerable to damage.
• Geographic Constraints: Remote and underserved areas face challenges in accessing identity services.
• Low Demand: In some countries, there is a lack of demand for identity documents, leading to low coverage.

Technology: Use and Management

• Enrollment: Most countries use electronic systems for civil registration and national IDs, often incorporating biometric data for deduplication.
• Authentication: While some countries allow service providers to authenticate credentials against a central database, few have developed secure biometric authentication infrastructure.
• Data Storage and Security: Only a few countries store and manage data in line with international best practices.

Integration: Interoperability and Interconnectivity

• Interoperability: Identity systems are largely siloed, with limited integration between foundational and functional systems.
• UINs and Integration: A few countries have implemented unique identity numbers (UINs) to link foundational records and improve integration.

Legal Frameworks

• Regulatory Gaps: Most countries lack comprehensive legal frameworks to govern modern identity systems.
• Privacy and Data Protection: Regulations for data protection and privacy are insufficient in many countries.
• Outdated Laws: Many existing identity-related laws are outdated and do not account for modern data capture and storage methods.

Key Recommendations

Country-Level Recommendations

• Harmonize and Modernize: Establish national identity authorities, adopt a unified approach to identity management, and create UINs.
• Plan for Fiscal Sustainability: Consider diverse financing options, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), to ensure long-term viability.
• Extend Coverage Inclusively: Reduce costs, increase access points, and integrate legacy databases to improve coverage.
• Follow Best Practices for Technology: Use open-source and off-the-shelf (OTS) technologies, adopt international biometric standards, and ensure data encryption and security.
• Build Authentication Infrastructure: Develop secure authentication mechanisms, including cloud-based systems, to verify credentials.
• Reform Legal and Administrative Frameworks: Implement international guidelines for data protection and privacy, and clarify legal mandates for identity systems.

Future Engagement by the WBG

• Continued Use of IMSA Tool: Expand the use of the Identity Management Systems Analysis (IMSA) tool to support further assessments and partnerships.
• Technical Assistance: Provide support in areas such as technology systems, legal frameworks, and data protection.
• Programmatic Support: Use identity systems to support functional programs like social protection, financial inclusion, and e-Governance.
• Investment in Foundational Systems: Continue to invest in the development of robust and inclusive foundational identity systems, including digitization, ICT infrastructure, and training.

Conclusion

The report highlights the critical need for modern, inclusive, and interoperable identity systems in Africa. While many countries have made progress in improving coverage and using technology, significant challenges remain in governance, fiscal sustainability, accessibility, and legal frameworks. The WBG is encouraged to continue its engagement through technical assistance, programmatic support, and investment in foundational systems to help close the identity gap and support national development.

Key Terms and Definitions

• Foundational Identification System: Includes civil registries, national IDs, and population registers.
• Functional Identification System: Includes documents like voter IDs, health records, and bank cards.
• Unique Identity Number (UIN): A number based on biometric data used to link identity across systems.
• Digital Identity: Electronic attributes and credentials that uniquely identify an individual.
• Interoperability: The ability of identity systems to share and authenticate data across platforms.

Tables and Figures Mentioned

• Table 1: Institutional Arrangements for Foundational Identity Systems

• Table 2: Decentralization of Civil Registration and Identification Services

• Table 3: ICT Access and Infrastructure

• Table 4: Major ICT Issues Highlighted by Reports

• Table 5: Registration and Identification Rates

• Table 6: Database Technology for Legal Identification Systems

• Table 7: Fingerprint Technology Used for National IDs

• Table 8: National ID Credentials and Authentication

• Table 9: Data Protection Laws and Authorities in Africa

• Figure 1: Snapshot of Relative Identity Ecosystem Development

• Figure 2: Relative Development of Civil Registration and Identification Ecosystems

• Figure 3: Advanced Identity Ecosystems: Coverage and Linkages

• Figure 4: Intermediate Identity Ecosystems: Coverage and Linkages

• Figure 5: Early Identity Ecosystems: Coverage and Linkages

• Figure 6: Birth Registration and National ID Coverage

• Figure 7: The Urban-Rural Divide in Birth Registration

Note: This summary is based on the findings of the Identity Management Systems Analyses (IMSA) conducted in 17 African countries between 2015 and 2016.