The issuing of electronic identifications (e-ID) is expected to start in September this year.
Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, who made the announcement in the National Assembly, stated that the government is committed to modernising its identity management in line with international standards and best practices.
The minister emphasised that the initiative aims to strengthen national security, improve service delivery, protect personal identity and support the country's digital transformation agenda.
"The e-ID serves as a trusted means of accessing services, conducting transactions and verifying identity. As Namibia continues to embrace digital services, secure and reliable identity verification becomes increasingly important. The e-ID will provide a trusted foundation for both public and private sector service delivery."
Despite their support for the innovative initiative, some MPs highlighted concerns regarding security and awareness.
"Yes, there are conspiracy theories, but there is also objective reality that we don't have a proper digital infrastructure that is safe, that is secure," says AR leader Job Amupanda.
PDM Leader McHenry Venaani adds, "We want to migrate to a new system, technologically advanced, better, better given we are giving you 100%. But where you are supposed to give us ID documents, what is it in terms of percentage? How many Namibians do not have access to identification documents on the old system?"
In her response, the minister stated that as a security measure, the e-ID will not be used to access personal data but only to verify identity.
In terms of raising awareness, the minister stated that the relevant information has been given to regional councils to disseminate to the public in their respective regions.
"It's our intention that we roll out to various points where we do not have permanent stations for ID issuance. As you have noted, now we have a mobile identification machine also capturing machines. And we also have the outreach programmes that go to schools, that go to various points. But we must also encourage our people to go to offices and apply for identities. Just as equally we have made provision to go to the constituency level for distribution of uncollected IDs," responded Iipumbu."