The registration campaign for the digital national ID in Kigali will end on April 2, but the process itself will continue, authorities have said.
The National Identification Agency (NIDA) says registration services will remain available at the sector level, with kits deployed closer to communities to make it easier for residents to access the system.
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NIDA Director General Josephine Mukesha noted that residents who miss the Kigali deadline will still have an opportunity to register. After the city campaign, registration teams will move to other parts of the country, starting with districts in Eastern Province such as Bugesera and Ngoma, before expanding further.
A detailed rollout schedule will be communicated in due course.
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The new Single Digital ID (SDID) is part of a broader national plan. Current ID cards will remain valid until June 2027, after which they will no longer be accepted.
By then, banks, hospitals, telecom companies, and government services are expected to rely on the digital ID for verification, meaning unregistered individuals could face difficulties accessing essential services.
The system is built around a unique Single Digital Identification Number (SDIN), which is assigned for life. For transactions, a secure token derived from the SDIN will be used, while the physical ID card will feature a QR code that can only be accessed through authentication, Mukesha explained.
A key feature of the system is user control over personal data. Individuals must give consent before their information is shared and can track when and how it is accessed through a digital wallet.
"Unlike the current system, digital identification will begin at birth. Children will be issued an ID linked to a parent or guardian’s digital wallet, with limited data collected in the early years. Biometric updates will follow at age five, including fingerprints and iris scans, and again at age 16, when individuals assume full control of their identity and provide a signature,” she said.
Measures have been put in place to ensure inclusivity. Elderly people and persons with disabilities who cannot reach registration centres are supported through outreach programmes, including home-based registration.
Registration sites have also been established at centres serving persons with disabilities.
Mukesha added that the system accommodates individuals who cannot provide certain biometric data due to disability, such as fingerprints, iris scans, or facial images. In such cases, registration proceeds using the available information, ensuring no one is excluded.
Biometric data collection runs from Tuesday to Sunday to accommodate parents’ schedules. Boarding school students aged 16 and above can provide their own consent, while those under 16 require parental approval or can register during school holidays.
Foreign residents, refugees, and asylum seekers are also eligible to register. Requirements vary slightly: non-citizens must present residency documents and passports, while refugees are required to provide documentation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
For citizens aged 16 and above, registration involves submitting biometric data, including fingerprints, a facial photograph, and a signature, along with personal details such as full name, parents’ names, date of birth, and current address.
Applicants must present an existing ID if they have one, while first-time registrants are required to provide supporting documents such as a birth certificate or other valid identification.