South Sudan to link birth registration to digital ID systems

South Sudan authorities have announced their efforts to develop plans aimed at digitising the country's civil registration and national ID systems, integrating both systems and issuing legal identities which is supported by the United Nations and the World Bank.

The digitisation and integration of civil registration with national ID systems is a government initiative designed to enable real-time birth registration and support the nation’s digital transformation efforts. This initiative aligns with ongoing recommendations from UNICEF and other UN organisations advocating for the integration of civil registration systems with national ID frameworks [1] as part of a global movement to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal by 2030.

According [2] to South Sudan's local broadcaster Eye Radio, the proposed reform is intended to streamline civil registration processes, allowing for the immediate declaration of childbirth to the civil registry from healthcare facilities. Major General Elia Costa, the Director General of [3] the Civil Registry, Nationality, Passport and Immigration, stated that the recent initiative is part of a broader government plan aimed at overhauling civil registration, a crucial first step in the issuance of legal identity. In remarks made following a meeting with CRVS experts in Zimbabwe, Costa elaborated that the reform seeks to align the war-affected nation with international standards regarding civil registration. He noted that the initiative is expected to significantly improve the current birth registration rate, which is estimated to be around 10%. “The world has now changed to the system of civil registry. As soon as the baby is born in the hospital or any health facility, they must notify us at the Directorate of Civil Registry so that we are the ones responsible for issuing a birth certificate,” said Costa.

South Sudan has been advised to implement urgent measures, including modifications to its national identity legal framework, to promote inclusivity and address the significant identity gap within the nation. This recommendation is part of [4] a blog article by the World Bank, which references [5] the South Sudan Country Diagnostic 2026 conducted by the Bank’s Identity for Development programme. “Nearly 90% of people in South Sudan lack government-recognised ID, limiting access to jobs, aid, finance, and services. The World Bank’s new ID4D diagnostic shows how stronger civil registration and digital ID systems could expand inclusion, protect vulnerable groups, and support economic opportunity,” said the World Bank.

“South Sudan’s identification ecosystem remains severely underdeveloped, limiting individuals’ access to services, economic opportunities, and formal participation. An estimated 90% of the population lacks identification, creating barriers to financial inclusion, education, and employment, while undermining service delivery efficiency and enabling duplication and ‘ghost’ beneficiaries. Although a legal framework exists, implementation is weak due to capacity constraints, governance gaps, and the absence of robust data protection and cybersecurity measures.”

The process of obtaining a national ID card in South Sudan has posed significant challenges for many citizens. Concerns have arisen that not having the necessary National Identification Card could [6] prevent individuals from participating in the country's elections scheduled for December only for [7] the election to be postponed for by 2 years. South Sudan begins biometric registration, the registration drive comes as authorities face challenges related to inadequate human resource systems and the lack of a cohesive digital identification framework.

Josephine Joseph Lagu, [8] who is the Vice President and Chair of the Service Cluster claims the exercise aims to ensure that all public servants on the government payroll are accurately accounted for, “Together, we can build public service that is proportional, transparent, and accountable in the public service of South Sudan. All the relevant institutions that have been working tirelessly to ensure that in the end we have an efficient, effective, and transparent public service. The journey to rebuild South Sudan requires that we have a fair, efficient, and transparent public service. Payroll reform is central to that effort because it affects every civil servant and every institution,” said Lagu.

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