Rwanda Pilots Biometric SIM Card Registration

Rwanda has launched a pilot program for biometric SIM card registration, integrating fingerprint and facial recognition technology to improve security and data accuracy.

Under new regulations issued by the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), the system links SIM card registration with the National Identification Agency (NIDA) database to prevent fraud and protect personal data. Applicants must present their identity documents and undergo biometric verification, with provisions for individuals with disabilities. The biometric data is matched against NIDA records to confirm identity, ensuring compliance with Know Your Customer standards.

The program also covers foreign residents, including work permit holders, asylum seekers, and immigrants, who must verify their identity using valid documents, and is designed to streamline the registration process and prevent the use of duplicate or fraudulent identities.

Rwanda is testing the new framework with the aim of delivering a more secure and efficient SIM registration process for both citizens and foreign residents once fully implemented.

The integrity of SIM card registration data has been an ongoing issue throughout the globe in recent years.

Last year, Philippines Senator Grace Poe called for the implementation of facial recognition technology in SIM card registration after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) demonstrated flaws in the current system by successfully registering a SIM card using a fake health card with a monkey’s image.

And, prior to that, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) raised concerns after fraudsters were able to obtain real fingerprints, often from vulnerable groups, and use silicone replicas to spoof the system, leading to the issuance of illegal SIM cards.

Source: The New Times

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September 12, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith