Guyana has allocated 1 billion Guyanese dollars (US$4.8M) in its 2025 budget for the implementation of national electronic ID cards, marking a significant step in the country’s digital transformation efforts. The national e-ID system rollout is scheduled to begin this year, featuring biometric e-ID cards for citizens as part of a broader initiative to modernize government services. The development follows a global trend of nations implementing secure digital identity systems with biometric capabilities, similar to Australia’s recent National Strategy for Identity Resilience.
The project encompasses several technological upgrades, including the implementation of an Electronic Passport Control System at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the deployment of an Education Management Information System across more than 1,000 schools throughout the country. The passport control system meets international standards for electronic travel documentation, following similar initiatives like the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which uses advanced border security measures and streamlined entry processes.
Meanwhile, Armenia is advancing its own digital identity infrastructure with plans to implement a new system for issuing ID cards and biometric passports by 2026. The initiative is currently progressing through its second tender phase, with private sector companies expected to submit their final project proposals by year-end. The system upgrade aims to enhance government service efficiency while maintaining compliance with international data security standards, and forms part of ongoing discussions with the European Union regarding visa liberalization.
The national initiatives parallel broader regional developments, such as the European Union’s European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI). The EBSI operates as a network of distributed blockchain nodes across Europe, designed to improve public administration interoperability and streamline access to digital public services, including educational and employment credentials. The infrastructure represents a significant advancement in secure digital credential management, particularly as countries worldwide grapple with increasing demands for reliable digital identity verification systems and the need to protect against sophisticated credential-targeting cyber threats.
Sources: European Commission, ID Tech Wire
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