Papua New Guinea advances digital ID law
A proposed digital ID law would provide a legal foundation for SevisPass and consent-based data exchange in Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology has begun drafting instructions and a proposed bill for digital identity and verifiable credentials legislation following the endorsement of the National Digital ID Policy.
ICT Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr said the process marks a step towards a legal framework that will allow citizens to identify themselves securely and access trusted digital services.
The proposed legislation will support the national rollout of SevisPass, SevisWallet, SevisDEx, and other approved verifiable credentials. SevisWallet will allow citizens to register, hold, and present trusted digital credentials, while SevisDEx will enable secure, consent-based data exchange.
Tsiamalili said the government is moving from policy to implementation. He said SevisPass will verify identity, SevisWallet will hold and present trusted credentials, and SevisDEx will support secure data exchange based on user consent.
The minister urged banks, financial institutions, mobile network operators, telecommunications providers, government agencies, education institutions, and professional bodies to work with NICTA and the Department of ICT to complete technical, regulatory, and operational readiness by the end of July 2026.
The readiness process is intended to support electronic know-your-customer checks, SIM registration, secure onboarding, financial inclusion, and digital verification of credentials such as driver’s licences, police clearances, student and teacher IDs, education certificates, tax identification numbers, and superannuation records.
The ministry said relevant agencies, issuers, verifiers, and relying partners should align their systems and compliance pathways to support the rollout by July 2026.
Why does it matter?
Papua New Guinea’s move shows how digital identity systems are becoming foundational infrastructure for public services, financial inclusion, telecoms compliance, education records, and private-sector verification. By linking SevisPass, SevisWallet, and SevisDEx to verifiable credentials and consent-based data exchange, the planned law could shape how identity, trust, and interoperability are built into the country’s digital economy.
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