A Unified Framework for Secure and Interoperable Digital Identity in South Africa

Authors

Sthembile Mthethwa, CSIR, South Africa

Sthembile Ntshangase, CSIR, South Africa

Siphelele Myaka, CSIR, South Africa

Nomalisa Ndhlovu, CSIR, South Africa

Samuel Lefophane, CSIR, South Africa

Published in

IST-Africa 2026 Conference Proceedings

ISSN: 2576-8581

ISBN: 978-1-905824-76-2

DOI: https://doi.org/10.67725/IST-Africa.2026.RKDJ6451

Publisher

IST-Africa Institute and IIMC International Information Management Corporation Ltd

Published in Ireland

Abstract

Digital identity represents a technological advancement facilitating the secure access and management of identities for both individuals and organisations within digital environments. Despite considerable progress in digital identity systems over the past decade, their implementation has been hindered by challenges, including fragmentation, lack of interoperability, and inadequate governance framework. This study analyses global digital identity frameworks to identify best practices and opportunities for accelerating adoption, focusing on key principles such as privacy protection, trust, inclusivity, and cross-border interoperability. Additionally, it outlines the essential requirements for a well-governed digital identity ecosystem and proposes a national digital identity framework consistent with international standards, aimed at enhancing the security, resilience, and global recognition digital identities issued in South Africa.

Keywords

Digital Identity, Digital Identity Framework, Interoperability, Cross-Border Identity, National Identity Frameworks

Cite this paper

S. Mthethwa, S. Ntshangase, S. Myaka, N. Ndhlovu and S. Lefophane (2026) "A Unified Framework for Secure and Interoperable Digital Identity in South Africa", IST-Africa 2026 Conference Proceedings, Miriam Cunningham and Paul Cunningham (Eds), IST-Africa Institute and IIMC, 2026, ISSN: 2576-8581, ISBN: 978-1-905824-76-2, https://doi.org/10.67725/IST-Africa.2026.RKDJ6451

Access Paper

Click here to access this paper

IST-Africa Community Members can download papers by logging into their existing account.

If you wish to become a member of IST-Africa Community, please register your profile and you will then receive login details which you can use to access the papers.

Access to papers in the IST-Africa 2026 Conference Proceedings is for INDIVIDUAL USE only. Neither the Conference Proceedings (or individual double blind peer reviewed papers) are to be included in any public or institutional repository or processed in the context of any AI tool or large language model without prior written permission from the Publishers.

While the IST-Africa Institute and IIMC retain copyright of the Conference Proceedings, each author retains copyright to their individual paper. No paper or part thereof may be reproduced without the written permission of both the Conference Proceedings Publishers and appropriate author(s).