Singapore-based Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd. has finalized a landmark agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to roll out a nationwide digital identity system called “DRCPass.” The deal establishes a public-private partnership under which Trident becomes the exclusive provider of electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) services for more than 80 million mobile subscribers across the country.
The agreement builds upon a collaboration framework first announced in December 2024 between Trident and the Office of the President of the DRC. It represents a significant step in the DRC’s ongoing efforts to modernize digital infrastructure and expand access to secure digital services for citizens and businesses.
Nationwide Digital ID Rollout
DRCPass will be delivered through Trident’s mobile application, known as “Tridentity.” The app will allow Congolese citizens to enroll for a digital identity and use it to access authorized applications and websites for both public and private services. The system leverages Web 3.0-based digital identity technology, aiming to provide secure verification for a wide range of transactions, from government services to commercial activities.
According to details released by Trident, DRCPass will support four core functions: biometric-based SIM card registration linked with blockchain records, single sign-on capabilities for accessing e-government services, digital payment functions intended to boost financial inclusion, and digital citizen identification for secure access to various services. These features are designed to expand on the DRC’s earlier biometric voter registration initiatives, which enrolled more than 45 million voters ahead of the 2018 elections under contracts with technology providers such as Gemalto.
The nationwide deployment of DRCPass will proceed in phases and will be accompanied by a public education campaign to encourage adoption and ensure citizens understand how to use the digital identity system. The initiative reflects lessons learned from other African digital ID programs, which have demonstrated the importance of user engagement and trust in technology adoption.
Privacy and Data Protection Considerations
While the agreement marks a significant advance for digital identity infrastructure in the DRC, questions remain about privacy safeguards and data protection. The DRC is still drafting a comprehensive data protection law, and Trident has indicated that DRCPass will comply with forthcoming regulations concerning data consent and storage practices. However, details on how personal data will be handled, stored, and protected under the new system have not yet been fully disclosed.
The signing ceremony for the partnership was attended by Soon Huat Lim, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Trident, and H.E. Augustin Kibassa Maliba, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs for the DRC. Both parties have expressed confidence that the new digital ID system will support the DRC’s goals for economic modernization and improved service delivery across government and private sectors.
Sources: TechAfrica News, StockTitan, BizCommunity
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By Ali Nassar-Smith
