Session
Organizer 1: Ulandi Exner, AfICTA, Private Sector (Africa)
Organizer 2: Nick Thorne, SIDI, Civil Society (Europe)
Organizer 3: Tor Alvir, Norwegian Digitalisation Agency (Digdir), Local host (Norway, Europe)
Speaker 1: Naohiro Fujie, Technical Community, Asia Pacific
Speaker 2: Debora Comparin, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Tor Alvik (Digdir), Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 5: Dr. Melissa Sassi, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 6: Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Adusote, Government, African Group
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: We believe the roundtable setting is ideal for our session as it will help us fulfil our objective of deep engagement since it is free from distractions and encourages individuals to intimately participate and contribute to the topic of discussion. The session duration on the other hand is deemed necessary to accommodate the perspective of all the speakers regarding the topic, policy questions and ultimately allow questions and interactions from the audience.
1. What practical steps, including intersessional work, can be taken to explore the use of existing Sustainable and Interoperable Digital Identity (SIDI) tools in the context of enhancing the African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) proposal, while ensuring the safeguarding of national sovereignty?
2. How can policymakers leverage examples and shared experiences of successful Interoperable Digital Identity (IDI) implementations to inform and support the development of IDI systems in Africa, ultimately enhancing economic activity and promoting regional integration?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants attending this session will gain a deeper understanding of how interoperable digital identity systems can be strategically leveraged to uphold national sovereignty while advancing regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). They will explore real-world case studies, technical models, and policy frameworks that balance data control with cross-border functionality, enhancing their capacity to influence and implement sovereign-aligned digital identity initiatives. The session will also offer actionable insights, foster multi-stakeholder collaboration, and equip participants with the knowledge needed to shape inclusive, secure, and future-ready digital identity ecosystems that support both national priorities and Africa’s broader economic objectives.
Description:
This session will explore how the evolving techniques and frameworks developed for interoperable digital identity systems can also serve as strategic tools for reinforcing national sovereignty in the digital age. As Africa moves forward with the ambitious African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), there is a growing need for systems that enable secure, seamless cross-border identification and verification.
Yet, this push for integration raises critical concerns about sovereignty, particularly around data governance, control over digital infrastructure, and the preservation of DLDCs autonomy in shaping identity frameworks. The workshop will examine how countries can leverage existing technical standards and governance mechanisms for digital identity, not only to foster interoperability and inclusion, but also to embed safeguards that uphold sovereign control over citizen data and national security interests.
By unpacking real-world examples and lessons learned from regional and continental digital ID initiatives, participants will critically assess how interoperability and sovereignty can coexist and even reinforce each other. The session will also look into how DLDCs can collaboratively define standards, policies, and trust frameworks that reflect shared values, while respecting each country's unique legal, cultural, and political contexts.
Understanding among participants of how interoperable digital identity systems can be designed to uphold national sovereignty while advancing regional integration under the AfCFTA. The session aims to produce actionable policy and technical recommendations that can guide the development of sovereign digital ID frameworks across Africa and beyond. It will also foster alignment among key stakeholders (governments, private sector, civil society, and the technical community) on the need for harmonized standards. Additionally, the workshop will promote knowledge exchange, build capacity, and identify concrete pathways for regional collaboration in areas such as trust frameworks, governance structures, and infrastructure sharing.
Hybrid Format: There would be an online moderator to interface between the online participants and the onsight moderator. She would bring questions and important comments to the awareness of the onsight moderator. The Online audience will be encouraged to participate in the use of digital tools such as Mentimeter or slido.