DRC Congo gives Singapore firm exclusive rights to roll out digital ID system

Singapore-based tech firm Trident has signed a public-private partnership (PPP) with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to implement a nationwide digital identification system which is aimed at preventing identity fraud, enhance financial inclusion, and delivering public services efficiently. But it could potentially run into controversy, if checks and balances are not put into place.

In August 2024, the DRC cancelled a US$1.2bn PPP project that tasked French company Idemia, working through intermediary firm Afritech, with building a civil registry and producing ID cards. The decision followed warnings from a government watchdog about potential cost overruns and possible funding irregularities. Questions were also raised about Afritech’s planned US$593m contribution, with concerns that the financing would be difficult to secure from commercial banks without a sovereign guarantee, potentially putting the Central Bank of Congo’s assets at risk. Afritech disputed these claims. The World Bank declined to finance the project, citing the absence of a competitive tender process. Had it gone ahead, the contract would have been among the most expensive digital ID projects globally.

Digital IDs are becoming more widespread as governments shift to online verification systems. They can help overcome the barrier of distance, making it easier for people to access essential services. When supported by proper standards and regulations, they also reduce the risk of cyber theft and offer a secure, convenient way to use online services and make digital payments. However, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) still lags other regions in the adoption of advanced digital ID capabilities.

Trident signed its first collaboration agreement with the DRC government in December 2024 to explore the development of an electronic government system. As part of the final deal, Trident – which listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange last year – has been appointed as the exclusive provider of electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) services in the DRC. Its flagship product, Tridentity, is a blockchain-based identity platform that will be introduced in the DRC under the name DRCPass. In the country of over 110m people, the platform is intended to serve as a centralised digital identity system that complements physical IDs, providing citizens with a verifiable credential for both public- and private-sector transactions.

The DRCPass is designed to make it easier for Congolese citizens to use government service platforms by enabling access to multiple portals through a single digital identity. It will also be used to register SIM cards, linking each number to a verified identity using biometric and blockchain technology. In financial services, it is expected to facilitate digital payments through instant identity verification and enable automated credit risk assessments, thereby allowing users to access credit more quickly. As a result, more Congolese are expected to enter the formal banking system without relying on traditional, branch-based infrastructure. The new system is expected to be rolled out in phases, supported by a public education campaign to raise awareness and encourage adoption. The danger is that unless the terms of the contract are made public this project could end up getting caught in yet another vortex of controversy and corruption. Politicians in the DRC have a poor reputation when it comes to accountability. The vast mineral rich republic ranks 163 out of 180 on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) prepared by the Berlin-based civil society organisation Transparency International (TI).

 

References

'Identity card contract worth nearly $700m sparks turmoil at top of government', Africa Intelligence, 17 June 2024

'Congo cancels $1.2 billion ID system contract after costs spiral', Bloomberg, 03 September 2024

'The importance of ID access in three charts: Insights from sub-Saharan Africa', World Bank Group, 09 September 2024

'Trident and the Democratic Republic of Congo, office of the president through national intelligence sign collaboration agreement (Protocole D’accord DE Collaboration) to develop and implement a national e-government system', Trident Digital Tech Holdings, 18 December 2024

'Trident deepens partnership with Democratic Republic of Congo for digital identity system', Trident Digital Tech Holdings, 07 April 2025

'Trident and Democratic Republic of Congo sign final digital identity partnership and launch nationwide “DRCPass” deployment', Trident Digital Tech Holdings, 25 June 2025

'Congo signs digital-identification deal with Singapore’s Trident', Bloomberg, 25 June 2025

'DR Congo population (live)', Worldometer, Accessed on 23 July 2025