KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- Singapore-based Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd (Trident) has signed a definitive public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to implement “DRCPass”, a nationwide digital identification system.
The rollout will be carried out in phases and supported by a public education campaign, while the initiative forms the foundation of the DRC’s e-government and digital identity strategy, first outlined in a collaboration framework with the Office of the President in December 2024.
Under the agreement, Trident will serve as the exclusive provider of electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) services for the Republic, enabling the deployment of a Web 3.0-based national identity infrastructure.
Trident Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Soon Huat Lim in a statement said the agreement marks a major step in advancing digital inclusion across Africa.
“Over the past several months our teams have worked closely with the DRC government to prepare for this moment. We commend the Republic’s leadership for embracing a digital future and look forward to supporting a nationwide rollout that others in Africa will surely emulate,” he said.
Meanwhile, DRC Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs, Augustin Kibassa Maliba said the partnership reflects a strategic commitment to digital sovereignty and financial inclusion.
“By launching the national digital identification system, we lay a cornerstone for a DRC that is digitally sovereign, financially inclusive, and resilient to tomorrow’s challenges,” he said.
The DRCPass system will support four core applications, namely biometric-blockchain SIM card registration to eliminate fraudulent and unregistered mobile lines; seamless access to public and private sector portals via single sign-on; enhanced digital payment enablement through risk-scored e-KYC; and a centralised digital citizen identity to complement physical identification documents.
Following registration, citizens will be able to download the “Tridentity” mobile application and enrol their DRCPass, gaining secure access to authorised applications and websites.
The DRC has over 80 million mobile subscribers, with a growing number of banked citizens expected to benefit from secure digital ID and e-KYC services, according to GSMA Intelligence.
-- BERNAMA
