Zimbabwe's promised July digital ID rollout not ye...

Zimbabwe's promised July digital ID rollout not yet announced

Zimbabwe looks forward to digital ID rollout after population registry reform

ZimNow Reporter

Zimbabwe’s launching of a national digital ID system remains a promise with no official rollout date confirmed.

Authorities concluded a sweeping civil registry reform earlier this year—seen as the backbone of a modern ID infrastructure—but while a May announcement hinted at a July rollout in Harare and Bulawayo, the process has yet to begin.

Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe described the upcoming digital ID as a tool to combat identity fraud, improve access to public services, and bring Zimbabwe in line with global trends. Registrar-General Henry Machiri confirmed that training and logistics are complete, awaiting the green light.

The digital ID forms a central pillar of Zimbabwe’s broader digital transformation agenda, which includes biometric passports, mobile civil registration campaigns, and an integrated population database.

With support from UNICEF and the Swedish Embassy, mobile registration units have been deployed in rural areas to close long-standing identity access gaps.

Local authorities have welcomed the efforts, noting that many citizens, especially in marginalised communities, have historically struggled to access official documents.

The digitisation drive also spans urban infrastructure. A homegrown AI-powered smart traffic system developed by TelOne was recently launched in Harare under the Safe City Project, with expansion planned for other cities.

The system uses sensors and cameras to manage congestion, enforce traffic laws, and improve urban safety.

Zimbabwe’s smart city ambitions, including the planned new capital outside Harare, underscore a shift toward tech-enabled governance.

While critics have raised concerns over data privacy and inclusion, the digital ID rollout—once launched—will mark a major milestone in the country's tech evolution.