Monday, October 13, 2025
25.2 C
Lagos

Digital Identity Will Foster Economic Growth – Interswitch Boss

Nigeria can unlock its full economic potentials if majority (if not all) of its citizens have digital identity as proposed by the National Identity programme.

This call was made by Mitchell Elegbe, Founder and Group Managing Director, Interswitch Group, during a webinar organised by TechCabalin partnership with VerifyMe themed:‘ Enabling Nigeria’s economic and social growth with digital identity’that held on Wednesday, September 16, 2020.

He stated that the digital identity database will help Nigerian businesses fasten their growth trajectory where everyone involved across the transacting spectrum can be easily identified. He emphasised the need for financial service providers to ensure due diligence in carrying out Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols. According to him, this will help businesses and their customers complete business transactions faster.

Elegbe also noted that having a single database would aid easy identification of citizens which is vital for development.  “At Interswitch, identity is critical because of the nature of our business and the regulations we adhere to. We believe that provided there is the need to exchange value, irrespective of the form, there is need for some form of identity.

However, a real challenge is verifying the individuals outside the formal sector. Developers, businesses and economies would better achieve their economic potentials if the individuals involved are digitally captured and are easily verifiable. This will in turn reduce fraud and drive growth,”he said.

In order to drive up data acquisition to enable this desired growth, Elegbe advised that there is the need to offer incentives that will encourage people across board to get captured. He also clarified the need for cross referencing of data to ensure that identities are not stolen.

He explained that current data available are disparate and in silos, so cross referencing and electronic capturing will reduce these inconsistencies.

Also speaking at the webinar was Esigie Aguele, Co-Founder and CEO, VerifyMe Nigeria, he corroborated Elegbe’s position, adding that it was imperative for stakeholders in the identity space to provide a central and comprehensive digital identity database which he opined will enhance security, revenue collection, taxes and jobs creation.

The webinar was organized by TechCabal in partnership with VerifyMe to mark the International ID-Day while examining how digital identity unlocks the immense potential in Nigeria’s e-governance and digital economy specifically, as it relates to growth in non-oil revenue streams such as fintech and e-commerce.

spot_img
spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

Stanbic IBTC Supports UAC on Acquisition of CHI with Investment Banking Solution

Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc proudly supported UAC of Nigeria...

Heirs Insurance Group Announces Inaugural Travel Festival: A Call for Inclusive Travel Ecosystem for Africans

Heirs Insurance Group (HIG), Nigeria’s fastest-growing insurance group, has...

Unity Bank MD Celebrates Resilient Frontline Staff, Reaffirms Commitment to Customer Service Excellence

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Unity Bank Plc,...

Sovereign Trust Insurance Celebrates 2025 Customer Service Week

Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc has been actively involved in...

Stanbic IBTC Bank Hosts Strategic Forum to Arm Clients with Economic Clarity

Stanbic IBTC Bank has taken a significant step in...

Topics

Sovereign Trust Insurance Rights Issue 72.5% Subscribed

Following the successful completion of the Rights Issue Offer...

African Airlines Record 7.4% Growth in 2016

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced full-year global...

The Economist’s Nigeria Summit 2016 Set for March 7

The Economist magazine has concluded plans to hold the...

NSE Employees Give Back in CSR Initiative

The Nigerian Stock Exchange has announced that its employees...

ATCON Lists Challenges to Telecom Growth in Nigeria

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has...

Access Bank Issues N15bn 5-Year Green Bond at 15%

Access Bank Plc is issuing a 5-year Fixed Rate...

Africa Insurance Women Association to Host International Conference for Women in Insurance

Mrs. Margaret Nkechi Moore President Africa Insurance Women Association The Africa Insurance...

Women as Key Pillars for Nutritional Progress

By Reginald Onabu Life is about balance. There is no...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img