The Government intends to complete and launch phase one of the National Identification System (NIDS) during the 2024/2025 financial year.

This will be done through a $1.3-billion allocation for the National Identification for Economic Growth project. Details are outlined in the 2024/25 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled in the House of Representatives by Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke earlier this week.

NIDS, an electronic form of identification, will provide a comprehensive and secure database for capturing and storing the personal information of citizens and non- nationals ordinarily residing in Jamaica.

Clarke announced other projects airmarked for this fiscal year, including the launch of the Registrar General Department’s (RGD) eWallet and digital birth certificate; commencing the modification and upgrade of eleven post offices and completing the framework and infrastructure to facilitate the variation and authentication of identity information by accredited third parties.

Additionally, the digitisation of the RGD civil records will continue as well as completion of the framework for the RGD’s transition to the National Identification and Registration Authority. With funding from the Government of Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Office of the Prime Minister is undertaking the implementation of the National Identification for Economic Growth project.

Some of the achievements of the project up to December 2023 include enactment of the National Identification and Registration Act (NIRA) and the completion of the NIRA regulations; conclusion of the pilot enrolment exercise for the NIDS; and onboarding of deposit-taking institutions.

There was also continued work on the upgrading of the eGov data centre, digitisation of RGD’s civil records, and execution of the NIDS communication strategy. Additionally, the RGD eWallet and digital birth certificate applications and the architectural and engineering design for 23 post offices were completed.