Ghana is making significant progress toward achieving universal legal identity, with 95% of adults now registered under the National Identification System and children being enrolled at birth.

This achievement positions the country to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9 — which calls for legal identity for all by 2030 — well ahead of schedule.

Across Africa, more than 500 million people out of a population of 1.4 billion still lack a formal ID, a gap that limits access to essential services, financial inclusion, and social protection.

Ghana’s progress, therefore, marks a breakthrough in the continent’s drive toward digital identity.

The success has been made possible through a strong Public-Private Partnership between the National Identification Authority (NIA) and the Margins Group and its subsidiaries, who have played a key role in deploying the Ghanacard and related infrastructure.

In a statement, Margins Group expressed pride in its contribution to this milestone, noting that the initiative not only strengthens governance and economic inclusion but also enhances Ghana’s global reputation as a leader in digital identity systems.

Observers say Ghana’s experience could serve as a model for other African countries seeking to close the identity gap and accelerate social and economic development.