Nigeria is at an inflection point — one where it needs to adopt enabling technologies at scale to support high growth in the telecommunications and digital sectors. Using the right technology as a catalyst, these sectors can support financial inclusion and widespread economic growth.
iiDENTIFii is in the process of rolling out its offering in over 20 countries across Africa following increased demand from both new and existing clients who require a trusted identity verification (IDV) partner in various jurisdictions.
Biometric authentication technology is changing how we identify ourselves with our mobile devices.
Recent figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) state that the number of active mobile subscriptions in the country reached about 222,571 million in December 2022, with a teledensity of 116.60%. This level of digital adoption needs to be met with intentional digital security measures. Added to this, Nigeria’s recent greylisting provides an opportunity to interrogate cyber security in the region and how biometric authentication can deter financial crime.
This technology also plays a powerful role in digital and financial inclusion. Historically, biometric identification has been for the privileged few — the technologically advanced with access to hi-tech, leading-edge equipment — providing access to services that are typically not for the digitally excluded. However, remote digital biometric authentication has a crucial role to play in bridging the digital divide.
Undoubtedly, Nigeria’s ICT sector and overall online activity will continue to grow exponentially. Trusting and authenticating the digital identity of individuals communicating and transacting online will continue to become more paramount and more essential.
