Maldives (Commonwealth Union)_ The Maldives intends to launch a new generation of national identity cards in 2026, marking an important step in the country’s attempts to modernize public services and expand its digital economy. The planned smart ID cards will be linked to a secure digital identification system, allowing citizens to prove their identities online and access an expanding range of government services from anywhere in the country. According to Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan, a large portion of the population is already part of the digital ID ecosystem. About 272,000 people, representing nearly 80 percent of residents aged 10 and above, have been enrolled so far. This digital identity enables users to log into OneGov, the government’s central online platform, which currently hosts services from 17 different state agencies.
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The government is also upgrading its existing digital identity infrastructure, known as eFaas. First launched in 2012, the system has long relied on facial recognition technology to verify users. Officials say the latest upgrades will make the platform more secure, more reliable, and better suited to support a wider range of digital services as demand grows. The smart ID announcement fits into a broader national strategy aimed at increasing the contribution of the digital economy to 15 percent of gross domestic product by 2030. The long-term goal is to help the Maldives reach developed nation status by 2040. This plan is built around three core elements: a trusted and secure digital identity system, stronger data-sharing mechanisms between government institutions, and enhanced cybersecurity protections.
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The government presented the first draft of the Digital Identity Bill in June, establishing the legislative basis for the Maldives Digital Identity System. The proposed law provides a legal framework for the operation and control of digital ID services by establishing requirements for authentication and digital ID registration. Additionally, along with public services, authorities are also working on the digitization of financial systems. In October, the Maldives signed a memorandum of understanding with Mastercard to establish what is being described as a “Digital Country Partnership.” The five-year agreement brings together Mastercard, the National Centre for Information Technology, and the Bank of Maldives to support digital payments and identity-linked financial services.
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One of the key outcomes of this partnership will be the ability to make payments using the eFaas digital ID application. Plans are also underway to upgrade the existing passport card into a multifunctional smart ID that combines identity verification with built-in debit card features. Officials anticipate that this technique will speed up regular transactions while reducing reliance on several physical cards. The agreement also protects against fraud and cyberattacks. To protect critical digital infrastructure, national-level cyber threat analysis and defense systems will be implemented. Furthermore, the partnership promotes the digital transformation of government services and key economic sectors like fisheries.
The Bank of Maldives has already taken a step in this direction with the launch of “Swipe,” a multicurrency digital wallet introduced in October. The platform is designed to handle both local and international transactions. It is set to begin beta testing this month, with plans to connect to global payment networks by early 2026. All of these efforts fall under a wider initiative known as “Maldives 2.0,” a national digital transformation program launched earlier this year at a summit in Malé. The project aims to reshape how public services are delivered by introducing connected digital systems across government institutions. Over the next three years, the program seeks to cut costs, improve efficiency, and modernize governance.
Maldives 2.0 aims to enable up to one-third of the government service to work remotely by 2028. A newly established Digital Transformation Council, chaired by the President, is overseeing efforts to focus on digital ID as a driver for greater transparency, reducing corruption, and increasing consumer confidence in government online services via integration of all relevant data and real-time cybersecurity measures. This transfer process will affect nearly 40,000 public service employees, thereby drastically altering the way the government provides services. Additionally, the public service agencies (PSAs) are working towards developing a more responsive, accountable, and user-centered government in the future through this digital transformation initiative.
