African countries celebrate identity day

Many African countries celebrated identity day on 16 September to coincide with sustainable development goal (SDG) 16.9 that aspires that everyone has a legal identity by 2030. Identity day is a campaign by the coalition ID4D Africa and it is supported by several African states and private companies. Nigeria became the first country in the region to have an official national identity day, and announced plans to enrol internally displaced persons into the national digital identity programme. Biometric updates reported that at least 10 countries, including the Central African Republic, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Lesotho, Niger, Senegal, Somalia, and Uganda held commemorations. Kenya also announced plans for a second phase of its digital ID programme before the end of the year.