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The implementation of a national digital identification program in Fiji is set to proceed following the approval from the country’s cabinet. This decision was made during the 10th Cabinet meeting last week, as announced by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on the official Facebook page of his office.
To ensure effective execution, the cabinet has also established a National ID Card Steering Committee. This committee will oversee the management, governance, legal, and policy frameworks of the National ID Program.
The first phase of the project will involve the introduction of a digital Know Your Customer (eKYC) system for the Reserve Bank of Fiji. This system aims to simplify customer onboarding and verification processes.
The cabinet’s endorsement follows the completion of a feasibility study conducted by the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise between 2019 and 2022. Fiji has previously leveraged Singapore’s expertise through various initiatives, including a cooperation visit by a Fijian delegation last year to learn about Singapore’s advanced digital transformation programs.
The upcoming implementation of the national digital identification program is a crucial component of Fiji’s broader digital government transformation agenda, encapsulated in the digitalFIJI initiative. This four-year program, outlined in the National Development Plan, aims to enhance access to government services through a robust digital government system. Initiatives under this program include the development of mobile applications such as “Government Directory” and “myFeedback,” which facilitate easier access to government services.
Fiji’s digital transformation efforts are further supported by a collaborative partnership with Japan. This partnership, involving the Home Affairs Ministry and Japan’s Digital Government Agency, focuses on a border program for Fiji, Palau, and Vanuatu. The program aims to streamline travel and transactions among these countries through data interoperability and inter-agency cooperation.
Additionally, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) supports this initiative as part of Fiji’s National Border Security Upgrade Priorities for 2023-2028. The UNDP also runs a project to empower civil society organizations in the Pacific, promoting the use of digital tools for accessing public and private sector services. This project, managed by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, aims to advance digital democracy and citizen empowerment.
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