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Smart Zambia Institute has called on lawmakers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region to unite in lobbying for the implementation of a digital identity system for citizens, aiming to simplify cross-border movement within the region.
During his presentation at the 56th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in Livingstone on Tuesday, National Coordinator Percy Chinyama emphasized that a digital identity could replace traditional passports, offering a streamlined and efficient way for people to travel across SADC member states.
Chinyama outlined how the digital identity could be embedded with personal information that is easily accessible for authentication and verification at regional borders.
“With regional borders digitalized, electronic data becomes easily accessible for verification purposes,” he said in a statement released in Lusska on Tuesday.
He highlighted the significant role technology played in enhancing regional integration and improving transparency.
Chinyama also pointed to Zambia’s e-government platform as an example, where citizens can access public services electronically, suggesting that similar systems could be replicated throughout the region to boost efficiency.
Clement Sinyangwe, President of the Information and Communication Technology Association of Zambia (ICTAZ), added his voice to the push for technological adoption, stressing the importance of AI in enhancing parliamentary transparency.
He noted that AI could transcribe debates, generate accurate meeting records, and even create interactive dashboards displaying key parliamentary activities, budgets, and voting patterns.
“AI-driven platforms can also present complex government data in more user-friendly formats, enabling citizens to better understand parliamentary proceedings,” Sinyangwe said.
By embracing digital identity and AI, he argued, the SADC region could make significant strides toward greater regional integration, transparency, and governance efficiency.
The session’s theme, “Leveraging Technology and Innovation for SMART, Inclusive, and Responsive Parliaments in the SADC Region,” underscored the importance of technology in reshaping regional governance.
Parliamentarians from SADC member countries are gathering in Livingstone to discuss pressing regional issues, including economic development, peace, security, and enhanced regional cooperation.
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