2015年-世界发展银行全球_Identification_for_Development___Liberia_28页_1mb

Summary of Identification for Development (ID4D) in Liberia

Core Content

This report provides an analysis of the current status and potential of digital identity systems in Liberia, focusing on the legal, functional, and technical aspects of identity management. It highlights the importance of digital identity in improving governance, economic development, and social services.

Main Points

Legal Framework

• The National Identification Registry Act (2011) was enacted to establish a national identification system in Liberia.
• The Act aims to create a National Identification Registry (NIR) and a National Biometric Identification System (NBIR).
• The Act repeals the old PRC Decree #65 (1981) and outlines the responsibilities of the NIR, including the collection and management of biometric data.
• The Act does not explicitly define digital identity as a legal category, but it recognizes biometric identity as a digital construct.

Governance Structure

• A Board of Registrars (BOR), chaired by the Minister of Internal Affairs, oversees the identification system.
• The BOR has been active in defining the strategic and operational priorities for the NIR.
• The Ministry of Internal Affairs is the current managing body for the NIR, with ongoing discussions on partnership arrangements.

Digital Identity Programs

• Liberia currently has five functional identity programs, each managed by different government agencies.

• These programs include:

  • Civil registry (births and deaths) by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW)
  • Passport system by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
  • Civil service register by the Civil Service Agency (CSA)
  • Social security system by the National Social Security & Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP)
  • Driver's license system by the Ministry of Transport

• These programs use different technologies and processes, and interoperability is lacking.

• A foundational digital identity program is not yet established, though the NIR Act calls for it.

Potential Benefits of Digital Identity for Liberia

• Economic and social development: Digital identity can improve census, tax collection, financial services, and border control.
• Efficiency in human resource management: Helps identify and remove ghost workers, reducing government expenditure.
• Cost reduction in election registration: Reduces the cost and complexity of voter registration.
• Enhanced border security: Enables efficient verification of identities at border checkpoints.
• Improved financial services: Supports the development of a credit bureau and electronic transactions.
• Better travel document reliability: Biometrics are used to improve passport authenticity and reduce fraud.
• Harmonization of identity systems: A unified digital identity can streamline services across government and private sectors.
• Support for regional integration: Aligns with ECOWAS initiatives to improve cross-border identification and digital commerce.

Current Status of Identity Programs

• Civil Registry: Only 10.6% of the population is registered, with 26% of children registered at birth.
• Passport System: MOFA uses biometrics to issue passports, with 10 fingerprints and 1 photograph collected per applicant.
• Biometric Registry: MOFA has 150–200 applications per day, and 5 fraudulent attempts per day are detected.
• Civil Service Register: CSA has removed 3,000 ghost workers from the payroll using biometric data.
• Financing: The government has allocated a provisional budget for the NIR and is seeking additional funding from donors.

Privacy and Data Protection

• The NIR Act emphasizes the need to comply with Liberia's freedom of information laws and constitutional privacy rights.
• The collection and storage of biometric data must be done in a secure and transparent manner.

Next Steps for the GOL

• Strengthen the enabling environment: Define digital identity legally and ensure robust privacy and data protection measures.
• Develop a business plan: Design and implement the NIR, leveraging public-private partnerships.
• Establish the NIR: Create a strong institutional framework with sufficient capacity and resources.
• Enroll the population: Expand coverage to ensure national identity is accessible to all citizens and residents.
• Ensure interoperability: Link all identity programs to create a unified system for efficient service delivery.
• Implement electronic authentication: Enable secure and efficient verification of identity.
• Promote awareness: Communicate the benefits of digital identity to the public.

Key Information

• Digital identity is essential for modern development, enabling access to services, improving governance, and enhancing security.
• The NIR is a central initiative aimed at creating a national digital identity system.
• The current identity programs are fragmented and lack interoperability, making it difficult to scale.
• Biometric data is a core component of the digital identity system, used in passports, civil service, and social security.
• Privacy and data protection are critical considerations in the development of digital identity in Liberia.
• The report is part of a broader World Bank initiative, Digital Identity Toolkit: A Guide for Stakeholders in Africa, which provides guidance for developing digital identity systems in African countries.

Conclusion

Liberia has a legal and institutional foundation for establishing a national digital identity system, but the current functional programs are fragmented and not interoperable. A unified, national identity program could significantly improve governance, economic growth, and service delivery. The government is encouraged to move forward with planning, funding, and implementation of the NIR, ensuring privacy, security, and public engagement.