Over the past few years there has been innovation in Digital ID incubating. This process has experimented with a number of different models and technologies and now we are seeing this evolution start to crystalise into a certain pathway forward.

Papua New Guinea is now moving rapidly toward rolling out a secure, national Digital ID that every citizen will be able to present online and in person. The legal footing is already in place through the Digital Government Act 2022, and the National Digital ID Policy 2024 sets out how the platform will be issued and trusted across public and private services from 2025.

But if you are a business, or a government department in PNG, the key question is, “what’s in for you?”. Lets take a look………

Banking & Financial Services – faster KYC & lower compliance cost

Onboarding of new customers in PNG still relies on face-to-face document checks, which are slow, costly and inefficient. Experience high in the Northern Hemisphere shows the prize: Norway’s e-ID model has driven application completion times down by as much as 90 % while slashing abandonment. McKinsey research quantifies the upside: adopting high-value Digital ID use cases can unlock economic value equivalent to 3–13 % of GDP by 2030, with roughly half accruing to private firms – that’s you bankers!. Read the report.

Telecommunications – guarding against identity fraud

Telco operators worldwide face a surge in SIM-swap attacks. The UK’s National Fraud Database recorded a 1,055 % increase in SIM-swap fraud during 2024 alone. See the report. PNG’s Digital ID Policy explicitly mandates the use of the Digital ID system for SIM registration and age verification, giving early-adopter carriers a robust, regulator-approved defence.

Utilities – faster switching, smarter billing

Energy, water and gas retailers often dispatch agents to verify new customers or reconnect meters. A reusable Digital ID lets consumers prove identity, authorise a move-in and set up payments online, removing site visits and paperwork. The result: lower field-service costs, faster cash collection and a smoother customer experience.

Legislative & policy tail-wind

The strategic business upside

With the Digital ID system moving from pilot to production, the question is no longer if but when the credential becomes mandatory for high-value transactions – mirroring trends in Ghana, India and the Nordics. Firms that adapt early will avoid retrofit costs and influence the technical standards that shape the ecosystem.

If you’re not already convinced, here’s a quick re-cap to keep you focused….

  • Cost: International pilots show digital onboarding can run at 10 % of today’s unit cost.
  • Risk: High-assurance credentials cut ID fraud, SIM-swap losses and manual AML reviews.
  • Growth: Reusable IDs enable “one-click” top-ups, prepaid-power apps and bundled bank-telco offers.

Next steps for PNG enterprises

Public Digital ID is no longer an experiment; it is becoming critical infrastructure that lets regulated businesses operate faster, safer and cheaper. If you would like to explore how Digital ID can lower costs, reduce risk and build competitive advantage for your organisation, get in touch—I’d love to compare notes and share more detailed case studies.