Thursday 1 May 2025
Following the success of the pilot SevisPass launch in 2024, Secretary for the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Mr Steven Matainaho has announced that the Department will now commence a nationwide data integration exercise to support “Papua New Guinea’s first-ever functional Digital ID.”
The Digital ID system will help citizens access public and private sector services more easily and securely.
Secretary Matainaho explained that the integration exercise will bring together key partners, including the Civil Registry Office, banks, telecommunication companies, superannuation funds, and other important sectors.
According to DICT Secretary this exercise will bring together government agencies (including Civil Registry Office), financial institutions, telecommunication operators, superannuation funds, and other key sectors to:
✅ Enable secure, consent-based eKYC verification for both public and private sector services
✅ Streamline access to banking, SIM registration, and government services
✅ Introduce Single Sign-On (SSO) across government digital systems
✅ Support biometric identity verification for the 2027 National General Elections.
The national integration process will involve mapping out sources of personal data, ensuring secure and consent-based data sharing, connecting agencies through secure systems, and testing everything for safety and efficiency. It will also include accrediting Digital ID providers who will issue the SevisPass credentials.
“This initiative is guided by the Digital Transformation Policy 2020, the Data Governance and Protection Policy 2024, and the forthcoming Digital ID Policy 2025,” he added.
As part of this rollout, DICT will host national workshops and information sessions during May and June. These events aim to help all data holders and stakeholders understand how the Digital ID system will work, the policies behind it, and how it will benefit both citizens and businesses.
“We (PNG) are moving decisively toward a trusted and digitally inclusive future. We need your support. Move with us.”
The SevisPass Digital ID will make government services safe, simple and efficient