Mina

Confident in my identity. 

Mina is a digital identity solution that gives citizens confidence over their identity. Mina provides a citizen portal from which citizens can view and update their information using USSD or via the portal website. For transparency, the ID holder can view digitally signed, time and location stamped transaction logs showing who has accessed or requested access (failed requests) to the data. This can be done through the website or using USSD. User will have an option to dispute any access requests they do not recognize.  

A central data information Center, such as the Ministry of Home Affairs will be responsible for the collection/receiving the personal data and maintaining the digital identity database system. Organizations/individuals who wish to access the individual’s data will have to connect, through APIs, to the authority’s digital identity system and enter requests to access an individual’s identity information, stating clearly which information they wish to access and why. The data authority (system) will in turn, through an SMS, forward this request to the individual for consent/approval, including details of the request.

Example: Piggy Bank LTD would like to access the following information on your profile for your request to open a bank account with them: identity number, date of birth and place of residence.

Do you approve of this request?

• Yes
• No

To ensure authenticity of the institutions requiring access to individual’s identity information, these institutions will have to register/create profiles with the data authority.

Every activity (requests, approvals, updates) in the portal will be time-stamped and recorded, allowing individuals to view the history of activities on their profiles.

A two-factor authentication, using a password and one-time password (OTP), will be used for security. The OTP will be sent via SMS or voice call depending on the option selected in the portal. Every time an individual log on to the citizen portal, they will be required to enter their password and an OTP will be sent through an SMS for every approval, update or activity to be processed.  

The solution will digitize the identity system in the country enabling online customer on-boarding. The solution will have a web and a USSD portal bridging the smartphone and internet connectivity gaps.

The solution will use a two-factor authentication: first, a password created and known to the user, secondly a one-time password (OTP) for every log-in, request aproval and updating of information.

All activities will be time and location- stamped and a history of activities will be available at all times for the citizen to view.

Requests to access a person's identity information will be approved by the user.

The proposed solution is a notification and approval system that can be easily incorporated to any digital identity system regardless of the underlining technology.

Our solution uses technologies that most people are familiar with. USSD codes and SMS technologies are commonly used to access services offered by telecommunication companies such as buying airtime. The system will also have an option for receiving OPT via voice call. This is to include those who

When designing the web portal, we will follow mobile-first design principles in order to meet the needs of the population in developing countries where most people access the internet via their mobile devices.

The portal will be made available in both English and the local language to bridge the literacy gap. 

The solution use mature SMS and USSD technologies which have vast documentation. The system will improve on the current ID system without introducing the need for any special technology. 

1. SMS and USSD data does not require connectivity on the user end. 

2. Most people are familiar with SMS and USSD technology. No training will be required. 

3. The system will be made available in both English and the local language, using simple language wherever possible. 

The proposed solution give confidence in their Identity to the most vulnerable population, the illiterate, poor and rural population. The digital identity solution is also a first step towards improving Know Your Customer (KYC). Identity plays a crucial role in financial inclusion. We believe our solution has the potential to transform the KYC process, giving access to financial services to the unbanked and under-served population. 

We are currently not working with any organisation. However, we plan to work with the following organizations:

1. Department of Civil Registration under the Ministry of Home Affairs 

2. Eswatini Communications Commission 

3. Ministry of ICT

4. Financial Services Regulatory Authority 

Our team members have degrees in computer science and information engineering (master) and statistics and economics. 

Together we have the following skills: 

1. System analysis and design 

2. Data analysis

3. Project Planning & Management

4. Research 

5. Policy Analysis 

6. Stakeholder Management 

Not for-profit 

Joining the Mission Billion Challenge has been the first step towards doing research on Digital Identity. The challenge has given us access to research material that we initially didn't know existed. We also like that the challenge is open source, creating an opportunity to crowd source ideas. 

One barrier foresee is getting stakeholder buy-in. It will be important to clearly communicate  to importance of collaboration for the success of the project. This will include getting all stakeholders to understand how the project has the potential to improve cost and time efficiency, and customer experience in their respective industries.