ISLAMABAD: National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) chairman Tariq Malik on Monday said the authority was ready to continue its close working relationship with Kenya with an aim to enhance cooperation and collaboration between the two countries, particularly in the field of digital ID and registration.

He was talking to a delegation of the Kenyan government which visited Nadra headquarters and held a series of meetings with the authority’s chairman.

The delegation’s weeklong visit to Pakistan is part of an evaluation and due diligence process being undertaken to assess Nadra’s proposal to undertake Kenya’s

National Digital Identity project.

The delegation headed by Ambassador Julius K. Bitok, MBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Citizen Services of Kenya, comprising secretaries, directors as well as officials from technical and operations of ID Department of Kenya.

The Nadra chairman briefed the Kenyan delegation on Digital ID as an enabler for inclusion and empowerment, e-government initiatives, the remarkable achievement of universal ID Registration coverage throughout Pakistan, and digital utilization of National ID data to bring about governance reforms in state institutions.

During the briefing, the Nadra chairman highlighted the importance of the “Look Africa Policy” of the government of Pakistan.

Mr Malik assured the high-powered delegation that Nadra was well-equipped to extend G2G support in ID related projects.

He stressed the need for the delegation to foster an ID ecosystem that would establish a singular and credible ‘Single Version of Truth’.

Moreover, he expressed that a robust ID system offers endless opportunities for the implementation of digital public goods.

Principal Secretary of State Department for Citizen Services of Kenya, Amb. (Prof) Julius K. Bitok stated that they will use the visit to understand the Identity management system and Digital ID ecosystem being anchored by Nadra.

“Kenya has different disparate, in silo environment databases and there is a need to link all the databases with a central repository making it one single version of truth. We are looking forward to working closely with Nadra on the future project related to National Digital Identity.”

Under South-South cooperation, Nadra is assisting the governments of Nigeria, Sudan, Kenya and Somalia with regard to the development of identity management and civil registration system.

Kenyan delegation also visited Nadra’s facilities at Nadra headquarters.

The delegation was apprised that Nadra’s ID Card printing, networks and communications, infrastructure and information security departments are ISO 27001 certified internationally; while its Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) fulfil the requirements of the most rigorous information security standards worldwide.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2023