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Digital Identity Systems: Lessons from Kenya

With Dr Keegan McBride, Dr Ana Valdivia, Mustafa Mahmoud, Lori Roussey, and Yasah Musa
Recorded:
4 Apr 2023
Speakers:
With Dr Keegan McBride, Dr Ana Valdivia, Mustafa Mahmoud, Lori Roussey, and Yasah Musa

Panelists Mustafa Mahmoud, Ana Valdivia, Lori Roussey and Dr Keegan McBride present “Digital Identity Systems: Lessons from Kenya.” Moderated by Mark Malbas with additional input from Yasah Musa and Maseke Rioba.

Digital identification systems are becoming increasingly popular around the world due to the multiple benefits they give, such as enhanced access to financial services, healthcare, and education. However, their deployment has created privacy, data protection, and inclusion concerns. This webinar, titled “Digital Identity Systems: Lessons from Kenya,” tries to address some of these concerns by delving into the experiences and lessons acquired from Kenya’s Huduma Namba program implementation. The panelists will evaluate the regulatory frameworks for privacy and data protection, examine the role of digital identification in improving inclusivity and the challenges that must be addressed, and analyze the impact of digital identity systems on service delivery and efficiency in various sectors. The webinar will also cover the issues around technology ownership, western bias in academic research, and the usage of open-source technologies in digital identification systems. The insights gathered from this webinar will be beneficial for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working in the creation and implementation of digital identification systems, particularly in the global south.

Speakers

a photo of Mustafa Mahmoud

Mustafa Mahmoud

Co-Director, Citizenship Program, Nairobi, Kenya, Namati

Mustafa has over 9 years of experience working with community-based paralegals on Citizenship rights, inclusion, and statelessness in Kenya, Bangladesh, Jordan, and Myanmar.

A photo of Lori Roussey

Lori Roussey

EU Data Protection and Intelligence law specialist, Data Rights

Her areas of focus in her studies at the OII and now in her work are strategic litigation, dual-use tech governance, cybersecurity, competition, public private partnerships and humanitarian data.

a photo of Yasah Musa

Yasah Musa

Citizenship Program Project Manager , The Nubian Rights Forum

Yasah has wide experience on community advocacy on citizenship & nationality and human rights with knowledge of legal empowerment approach to advocate for the rights of minority communities in Kenya