Rwanda is preparing to launch a major milestone in its digital transformation journey, the
registration for its new national Digital ID. The National Identification Agency (NIDA)
announced that the registration process will officially begin on October 28, 2025, starting
with pilot districts Nyanza, Huye, and Gisagara.
During this pilot phase, which will run until November 23, 2025, more than 1,100 field
officers will be deployed across the country. NIDA will also use mobile registration units
and multilingual service desks to ensure that even citizens in remote areas can easily
register.
To register, citizens will need to present their current national ID, the ID numbers of their
parents or spouse (if applicable), and an application number for those who have not yet
received their first ID. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
during registration.
This new digital ID will introduce advanced biometric features such as iris scans and full
fingerprint capture. Unlike the previous system, it will include all Rwandan citizens — even
newborns and children under five ensuring that everyone has a secure and verifiable
identity from birth.
Once implemented, the digital ID will serve as a single trusted identity across various
sectors, including banking, healthcare, mobile communication, and government services. It
aims to simplify access, reduce fraud, and enhance efficiency in service delivery.
The government has allocated about Rwf 12.2 billion for this initiative in the 2025/26
national budget. Production of the new IDs is expected to begin in early 2026, with the first
cards anticipated to be issued by June 2026.
This marks a significant step toward Rwanda’s goal of building a fully digital and inclusive
