Maseru, April 21 — Digital identity has been identified as a critical foundation for inclusive development and efficient public service delivery, during discussions at the ongoing Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) 64th Council Meeting and Digital Roadshow in Lesotho.
Speaking during this session on digital transformation, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mr. Deepak Bhaskaran highlighted that the future of countries’ development will be driven by three rapidly evolving forces being computing, connectivity and cognition (artificial intelligence).
He noted that computing has evolved from large, complex machines to smaller, faster devices while connectivity has shifted from slow analog systems to high-speed digital networks. At the same time, cognition referring to intelligence technologies continues to advance at an unprecedented rate.
“These three speeds will shape the trajectory of development for nations and the right policy decisions are essential to ensure progress,” he said.
Mr. Bhaskaran further emphasized that digital identity is a key pillar of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), enabling governments to deliver trusted, seamless and efficient services to citizens.
He noted that a single, trusted digital identity can eliminate the need for multiple documents when accessing services, reducing inefficiencies that often arise when citizens are required to repeatedly submit paperwork to different government ministries.
Furthermore, he highlighted that in sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 49 percent of children estimated at 95 million do not have any form of legal identity, leaving them vulnerable to exclusion from essential services such as healthcare and education.
“Without identity, many children remain invisible and are at risk of exploitation and limited access to opportunities,” he noted.
The discussions also pointed out that digital identity systems can support individuals throughout their lives, from birth registration to accessing education, healthcare, and social services, while also enabling functions such as verification, authentication and service notifications.
However, experts cautioned that the success of such systems depends on strong governance, legal frameworks, and robust data protection measures.They stressed the importance of adopting privacy-by-design principles and ensuring cybersecurity safeguards are embedded from the initial stages of system development.
Digital identity was ultimately described as a public good that can enhance transparency, build trust in government institutions and unlock the full potential of digital governance in Lesotho and beyond.
Ends/NT/tl
