BlockID
Blockchain based identity solution to help individuals build a trusted ID that is private, fully under their control and recoverable.
Our solution is focused on individuals in remote parts of Africa with low connectivity, who have no existing identity record and help them build a digital trusted ID that is private, fully under their control and recoverable.
By utilizing decentralized identification specifications highlighted by W3C our solution will capture information using low cost mobile phones, a biometric scanner and an ID printer and stores the information on blockchain.
Considering lack of internet bandwidth in some parts of Africa one is required to generate unique Decentralized IDs (DID) before hand from the platform that are immutable and tied to the blockchain and is assigned to an individual on the field upon registration.
During registration on the field, basic details of the individual such as the name, gender, date of birth and a fingerprint/eye scan are captured and assigned to one of the unique DIDs that was generated. The fingerprint/eye scan is essential as it acts as the private key that proves his decentralized ID ownership on the blockchain and does not require an individual to have to remember the private key.
The information collected is verified by a governmental authority or trusted authorities such as UN refugee agencies for the case of undocumented refugees, who sign the information with their institution's DID that also lives on the blockchain.
As a final step a BlockID can be printed to a smart card with a secure chip or a disposable paper with a QR code that will store the individuals private key that proves the individuals DID ownership and can only be unlocked using the fingerprint or eye scan.
The unique DID is linked to a unique feature such as the eye/fingerprint scan to avoid duplication and ensure security of the information while also providing a human friendly identifier as opposed to the unreadable hash key of random strings and characters.
Using this BlockID smart card, individuals can gain access to essential healthcare, financial and governmental services even across borders as the information is signed by a trusted parties and is immutable.
- Idea
Our solution applies a new and emerging technology, Blockchain to store and secure data and bringing sovereign control back to the individual who can only unlock data using their private key whilst also utilizing existing and familiar processes to register individuals that both governmental and non-governmental agents are familiar with.
Our solution first requires one to generate randomized DIDs which are a string of random numbers and characters that are unique and immutable. These DIDs are generated before hand or before a registration exercise is conducted so as to account for low connectivity environments as no transmission of data is required during registration, rather DIDs that were already generated before hand are tied to specific user information and a finger and eye scan act as a private key to verify ownership of the DID.
Minimal information is collected about the individual such as the name, year of birth, gender and a fingerprint/eye scan that acts as a unique private key.
This information is finally signed off by a trusted entity using their own DID that is also stored in the blockchain
The whole process is designed in the system to make it as easy as possible in a three step process.
Collection of data will be done using digital systems such as mobile phones, biometrics systems to capture fingerprint and eye scans.
We'll also provide APIs to enable integration with existing digital identification systems in different countries and utilizing existing data collection methods of capturing an individuals basic information that agents in these entities are already familiar with and transmit that information to our systems to be signed off to the blockchain. We will only require addition of essential processes such as biometrics finger/eye scans if it does not already exist. All data is also encrypted.
Our solution is designed to be a three step registration process from generating DIDs through our platform, to registration of individuals using cell phones and biometrics scans to printing of BlockID cards.
and using APIs we're able to plug in and integrate this three step process to existing front-facing digital identification systems while handling the back-end.
We'll provide open APIs for integration with other systems and we'll utilize opensource blockchains such as the EOS blockchain that are also interoperable with other blockchains.
Our solution generates as many unique DIDs that are linked to the blockchain before hand in an area with good connectivity. Afterwards all that is required in the field is to capture individuals information offline and assign to the unique identifiers. Hence transmission of data to the internet is not required on the field therefore accounting for low connectivity environments.
We utilize low cost cellphone devices and biometrics devices to capture an individuals information. Basic information could also be captured by use of SSD.
Build out the system fully, conduct multiple pilots with support from both governmental and non-governmental institutions and roll out the solution in parts of Africa starting with the most critical places such as refugee camps where there are a lot of undocumented individuals. Promote adoption of the system by governmental organization to conduct mass registration programs in respective African countries. We'll also look to scale the solution by promoting adoption of this identification solution to the private sector such as financial institutions to enable access to credit, healthcare providers, legal institutions among others.
- Kenya
- Hybrid of For Profit and Nonprofit
- Other (Please explain below)
- 1-5
- Less than 1 year
We are a two founding team of Africonnect.io, a blockchain based solution to connect small holder farmers in Africa to international markets whilst providing access to credit. Digital identity is critical to blockchain based business and we looking to solve this using BlockID.
1.Business and Software engineering background. Experience in building enterprise level software applications that are highly scalable. We have worked and founded tech companies.
2. Blockchain applications - We were selected as the best team in Africa by Block.one, that built the opensource EOS blockchain. We both have attended a one week EOS incubation program.
3. Community organizers and members - We are both members and community organizers of tech communities in Kenya and Africa and we conduct meetups regularly with members and stakeholders
Annual license fee for maintenance and support.
A percentage commission on registration fee per user
The solution is also integral to our overall business of promoting panafrican trade by leveraging on an individual's identity to record a credit history that can be used to access credit.
Partnership with various stakeholders to gain access to decision makers in both governmental and non-governmental institutions looking to adopt the solution.
Also unlocking funding opportunities to hire the best talent to develop and roll out the solution across Africa.
Different regulations in different countries. Bringing in different stakeholders and decision makers together to highlight how such as framework would be adopted.
