Page 142 - The Digital Financial Services (DFS) Ecosystem

ITU-T Focus Group Digital Financial Services
Ecosystem

Table D.6 – Malawi Case Study

MALAWI – National Registration and Identification System
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: The National Registration and Identification System has not seen widespread implementation
1
since the National Registration Bureau’s establishment in 2007. While evidence indicates that registration has begun, no identity
cards had been distributed as of October, 2014. New funding allocated to the NRB for the financial year starting July 2015 has
2
potential to allow the procurement of necessary resources and end delays in producing the identity cards. There is no indication
3
that the identity cards are electronic or hold biometric information, though there are multiple other programs in Malawi that uti-
4
lize these features including the Dowa Emergency Cash Transfer program. This will be the first national identification document in
Malawi. 5
BASIC NATIONAL IDENTITY PROGRAM INFORMATION
Institution(s) Managing the Program: National Registration Bureau (NRB) 6
Funding Source: Government of Malawi 7

Budget for Program Operation: K1.65 billion or US $3,644,444
The national budget initially allocated K155 million (US$344,444) to the program,
8
and increased that by K1.5 billion (US$3.3 million) for the 2015 financial year.
Target Population: All Citizens
9
Target Age: Birth (registration), 16 (physical credential) 10
Year Introduced: 2007 – NRB was established
11
Program Currently Active: Planning stages: No cards have been issued as of October 2014. The NRB was
12
allocated increased funding through the national budget for the 2015 financial year
13
beginning in July, which will help to procure the resources needed for the next
phase of the program. 14
Are Changes to the Program Planned or Not specified
Anticipated:
NATIONAL IDENTITY PROGRAM METHODOLOGY

Mandatory Enrollment: Yes. A child’s birth must be regis- Method of Enrollment / Manual. At birth, parents must
tered within six week and failure Initial Capture: complete and deliver a birth
to register results in a fine of $1 report to the district registrar.
16
million Kwacha and up to five years Hard copy registers are eventually
in prison 15 computerized. 17
Physical Creden- Yes (identity card) 18 Electronic Component Not specified
tial Involved in Involved in Physical
Authentication: Credential:
Personal Informa- Gender, date of birth, parents’ Photo of Individual on Not specified
tion Involved in names, marital status 19 Physical Credential:
Authentication:
Biometric Infor- Not specified
mation Involved in
Authentication:
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

Level of Coverage: Low
20
Registration has begun but there is no evidence on the level of coverage. No
21
cards have been distributed as of October 2014.

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