Africazine:
Lesotho is taking significant steps towards enhancing its digital identity systems.
The Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation (MICSTI) has partnered with UNICEF to implement a 2026 Annual Work Plan. This initiative aims to develop an integrated national digital identity ecosystem, improving services like national ID and passport renewal.
Lesotho and UNICEF Collaborate on Digital Identity
The signed work plan is part of the Lesotho–UNICEF Programme of Cooperation for 2025–2028. It focuses on advancing digital identity and civil registration systems in the country. Key services targeted include biometric registration and proof-of-life verification.
This collaboration also aims to strengthen identity verification for financial services, enhancing monitoring of financial flows and preventing fraud and money laundering.
Lesotho: Key figures on digital identity systems
- 2026 Annual Work Plan
- Lesotho–UNICEF Programme of Cooperation 2025–2028
Strengthening Digital Public Infrastructure in Lesotho
The initiative aligns with the National Strategic Development Plan II and the National Social Protection Strategy II. It will continue the deployment of digital public infrastructure based on the Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP).
This platform will enable secure authentication across both government and private-sector services, including mobile-based verification.
Next Steps for Digital Identity Initiative
- Implementation of the 2026 Annual Work Plan
- Deployment of the Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP)
- Enhancement of services like biometric registration and ID renewal
Lesotho is committed to advancing its digital identity systems for better service delivery.
