More than 1.49 million people have been enrolled, while over 1.69 million have been pre-enrolled, as registration and photography for Rwanda’s digital identification system continues to unfold.

The process which started from Southern Province on October 28 last year, is now set to reach Kigali, starting from February 7, according to the National Identification Agency (NIDA).

The exercise had earlier been conducted in districts of Huye, Gisagara, Nyanza, Muhanga, Ruhango, and Kamonyi.

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NIDA Director General Josephine Mukesha told The New Times that pre-enrolment figures are typically higher because children under the age of 16 require parental or guardian consent before full enrolment can be completed.

"Until we obtain that consent, we cannot enrol them,” she said.

City of Kigali Spokesperson, Emma-Claudine Ntirenganya, said there are a number of where registration will take place during the first week, but additional ones will be communicated in the second week. She said that the registration and photography exercise is expected to last seven weeks.

In Nyarugenge District, registration sites in Nyakabanda Sector include the Nyakabanda Sector Office, Rwanda Institute for Cooperative, Entrepreneurship, and Microfinance (RICEM), Nyabugingo Church, APACE (Groupe Scolaire Du Mont Kigali), which is expected to begin operations on Sunday, and the ECD centre in Kanyange Village.

In Rwezamenyo Sector, residents can register at Rwezamenyo Sector Office, Kabuguru I and Kabuguru II cell offices, St. Joseph Integrated Polytechnic, CEFOTRAR (a training centre for Rwandan workers) hall, New Hope Institute hall, Intwari/Matimba Village, St. Joseph (secondary school), and Heart Land.

In Gitega Sector, services are being offered at Gitega Sector Office, Kora Cell Office, Mpazi Market, and Akabeza Cell Office.

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In Kicukiro District, registration in Kagarama Sector is taking place at the cell offices of Kagarama, Kanserege, Muyange, and Rukatsa. In Kicukiro Sector, services are available at the Kicukiro Sector Office and at the cell offices of Kagina, Ngoma, and Gasharu.

In Niboye Sector, registration is being conducted at Niboye Sector Office, EP Nyakabanda (a primary school), and the cell offices of Niboye, Nyakabanda, and Gatare.

In Gasabo District, residents of Kimihurura Sector can register at Kamukina, Kimihurura, and Rugando cell offices, as well as at Kimihurura Sector Office, which serves foreign nationals. In Kacyiru Sector, registration sites include Kacyiru Sector Office, the cell offices of Kamutwa, Kibaza, and Kamatamu, SOS Kacyiru establishment, ADEPR Kamutwa, ADEPR Kinamba, Amahoro Village Office, ADEPR Kabagari, and at an area called Diplomate.

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Eligibility and required documents

The registration exercise covers all Rwandan citizens, foreign nationals legally residing in Rwanda, refugees, migrants, and stateless persons, according to NIDA.

Rwandan citizens are required to present their current physical national identity card. Where available, they also have to provide the national ID numbers of their parents and spouse.

Birth certificates are required for children. Foreign nationals must present a valid passport and a valid residence permit.

Migrants and stateless persons are required to present a letter certified by a cell administration’s Executive Secretary and signed by three witnesses, confirming their residency in Rwanda and their status.

Refugees living in camps will be registered at the camp level, while those residing in urban areas will register at their respective sector or cell offices.

Refugees are required to present a refugee ID, original proof of registration, an application number for those who have not yet received a refugee ID, or a birth certificate or proof of registration.

While registration and photography are ongoing, the issuance of the digital ID is planned to begin by June this year as part of Rwanda’s broader digital transformation agenda, according to NIDA.