On 1 and 2 October, the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF), in collaboration with the Fiji Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) hosted an inception workshop for the country’s National Digital Identification (ID) system.  

Representatives from Government ministries, commercial banks and the private sector discussed the foundational aspects of the system, intended for use by both government and the private sector and which will feature Electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) functionality.  

RBF Governor, Ariff Ali, highlighted the National Digital ID system’s potential to empower citizens by improving access to basic services, and to foster economic growth, saying “a National ID can be likened to a key that can open doors or provide a seamless pathway to Government services. It serves as a cornerstone for citizenship, enabling Fijians to access essential services such as healthcare, education and banking in an efficient manner.’’ 

Shaheen Ali, Permanent Secretary for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, highlighted the National Digital ID’s significance for Fiji’s digital transformation, emphasizing that a secure and scalable national database that supports accurate and inclusive identification processes would facilitate both connectivity and economic integration.  

ADB shared best practices from successful National ID programs worldwide, covering lessons learned, innovative approaches to implementation and the technical and functional requirements for such a system. 

The National Digital ID program is expected to take at least 36 months to complete. A Steering Committee has been tasked by Government to spearhead the work, including establishing a project team, governance structures and a communication plan. This will be followed by the drafting of enabling legislation and the procurement of an appropriate solution.