LocationsMilestone marks a decade of Government–UNDP partnership and positions Malawi among Africa’s leaders in secure, inclusive digital identity systems.
Malawi launches Nzika Digital ID Wallet and removes expiry date from National ID
September 16, 2026
Developed through UNDP Malawi’s IDT4M project with the Government of Malawi, and support from the EU, Ireland and Norway, the Nzika Digital ID Wallet advances accessible, secure and trusted digital public services.
Photo: UNDP Malawi/Jonathan Mphande/2026
Malawi has launched the Nzika Digital ID Wallet today in Lilongwe and announced the removal of expiry dates from National Identity Cards, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation and a decade of partnership between the Government of Malawi and UNDP to strengthen national registration and identification systems.
The launch, held during the commemoration of International Identity Day and Africa ID Day, positions Malawi among a small group of African countries advancing digital identity innovation.
With the introduction of the Digital ID Wallet, Malawi becomes the fifth country on the continent to operationalise the technology, joining Ghana, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria.
Developed through collaboration between the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and UNDP Malawi under the Inclusive Digital Transformation for Malawi (IDT4M) programme, with support from the European Union, Irish Aid and the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Wallet provides citizens with a secure platform to access and manage official credentials, including National IDs, birth certificates, marriage certificates and death certificates.
The launch was accompanied by a landmark policy reform. Effective 16 September 2026, the Government of Malawi has removed the expiry date from National Identity Cards, ending the requirement for periodic renewals.
“A person’s identity does not expire."Minister of Homeland Security Honourable Peter Mukhito.
Minister of Homeland Security Honourable Peter Mukhito.
Photo: UNDP Malawi/Jonathan Mphande/2026
The Minister described the Digital ID Wallet as a transformative step in ensuring citizens can access essential services more easily and securely.
“Today, we are not simply launching another application. We are changing the way Malawians prove who they are. We are taking national identity into the digital age. And we are making a clear commitment: no Malawian should be denied an essential service simply because a physical National ID card has not yet reached their hands.”
He emphasized that the Wallet complements rather than replaces the physical National ID card.
“The Nzika Wallet does not replace the physical National ID card. It complements it. Those who prefer a physical card will continue to use it. Those willing and able to use a digital credential will now have that option.”
Under the theme“My Digital ID, My Shadow, Never Apart,” the event brought together Government leaders, development partners, private sector representatives, academia and civil society to celebrate ten years of progress in building an inclusive national identity ecosystem.
“Legal identity is essential infrastructure for rights, inclusion and opportunity. Today, Malawi celebrates a decade of determination to make that principle real."United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms. Rebecca Adda-Dontoh.
United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Rebecca Adda-Dontoh
Photo: UNDP Malawi/Jonathan Mphande/2026
Addressing the gathering, United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms. Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, highlighted the significance of legal identity as a foundation for dignity, rights and opportunity.
“Every person has a name. Every person has a story. And every person deserves to be recognised before the law, to belong, and to shape their future.”
She noted that Malawi’s achievement extends beyond technology and reflects a commitment to inclusion and human rights.
“Legal identity is essential infrastructure for rights, inclusion and opportunity. Today, Malawi celebrates a decade of determination to make that principle real and opens a new chapter in how people can prove who they are.”
The Resident Coordinator applauded the progress made over the past decade, during which Malawi achieved near-universal national ID registration among eligible citizens aged 16 and above.
“A decade ago, the Government of Malawi and the United Nations, through UNDP, began building the foundations of the national registration and identification system. Today, national ID registration coverage is near universal among eligible Malawians aged 16 years and above.”
While welcoming the opportunities presented by the Digital ID Wallet, she emphasized that inclusion, privacy and accessibility must remain central to implementation.
“The measure of success is not the technology itself. It is whether people can exercise rights and access services with greater dignity.”
A high-level delegation of government ministers, development partners and United Nations representatives witnessed the launch in Lilongwe.
Photo: UNDP Malawi/Jonathan Mphande/2026
The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Honourable Shadric Namalomba, described the Digital ID Wallet as evidence of the Government’s commitment to delivering citizen-centred services and reimagining public service delivery through digital innovation.
Development partners also reaffirmed their support for Malawi’s digital transformation journey.
The European Union emphasised the importance of protecting privacy and ensuring that people understand when and how their personal information is collected, used, and stored in a transparent, lawful and proportionate manner.
The EU reiterated its commitment to supporting Malawi in the effective implementation of the Malawi Data Protection Act 2024, helping advance a digital transformation rooted in inclusion and trust.
Norwegian Ambassador Anne Sofie Bjelland commended the progress achieved in national and birth registration processes and welcomed the introduction of the Nzika Digital ID Wallet as an important innovation for promoting greater efficiency in identity-related services.
Mr Ronan Sweeney, Deputy Head of Mission and Development Specialist at the Embassy of Ireland in Malawi, reiterated commitment to the continuation of registration initiatives, reinforcing Ireland’s support .
The launch comes amid growing public demand for digital identity solutions. By the day of the launch, more than 22,000 Malawians had already onboarded to the Nzika Digital ID Wallet, demonstrating strong interest in secure and convenient identity services.
For UNDP and its partners, the milestone reflects the impact of sustained investment, national ownership and long-term collaboration.
As Malawi advances towards a fully integrated digital identity ecosystem, the Nzika Digital ID Wallet is expected to improve access to services, strengthen public trust and support broader participation in the country’s digital economy.
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