Nigeria's Digital Identity Boosts Africa's Economic Integration

On September 18, 2026, Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, announced that Nigeria's expanding digital identity infrastructure is bolstering the country's position in Africa's digital economy. Speaking at the National Day of Identity 2026, themed “Nigeria’s Digital Public Ecosystem: Powering Africa’s Digital Economy,” Akume emphasized that the advancements made by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) represent a significant achievement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He noted that the digital identity system is crucial for banking, telecommunications, social protection, and cross-border trade, facilitating economic integration across Africa. Akume highlighted the enactment of the National Identity Management Commission Act, 2026, which strengthened the legal framework for identity management and data protection.

Innovations like NINAuth and self-service data modification have improved identity verification and record management for Nigerians, contributing to the overall progress of the digital public ecosystem.