Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka visited the headquarters of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in New Delhi, where he was welcomed by UIDAI Chief Executive Officer Bhuvnesh Kumar and senior officials from India’s External Affairs and Electronics and Information Technology ministries. The delegation was briefed on India’s pioneering digital identity system, Aadhaar, which underpins the country’s digital public infrastructure, and on platforms like DigiLocker that are transforming service delivery and inclusive digital governance.
UIDAI Deputy Director General Vivek Chandra Verma and NeGD President and CEO Nand Kumaram led detailed presentations on the design, implementation, and impact of Aadhaar and DigiLocker, highlighting how these tools have empowered citizens and driven large-scale digital transformation. The Fiji delegation also witnessed a live Aadhaar enrolment demonstration, gaining first-hand insights into the system’s operational ease, scalability, efficiency, and robust security features.
The visit comes as Fiji advances its own National ID Programme, a cornerstone of the government’s digital economy ambitions. Fiji’s effort is being developed with support from the Reserve Bank of Fiji, the Fiji Government, and the Asian Development Bank, and aims to establish an identification system usable by both government and private sectors. Permanent Secretary for Trade Shaheen Ali has emphasized creating a secure, scalable national database to support accurate and inclusive identification processes, with eKYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) at the forefront to boost financial inclusion. The project is anticipated to take about 36 months to complete, with a steering committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Professor Biman Prasad and Governor Ariff Ali, overseeing progress.
Context from Fiji’s digital ID discussions suggests strong alignment with global best practices in digital public infrastructure. Analysts have noted that robust digital ID systems can contribute to significant productivity gains and broader economic benefits, underscoring the potential upside for Fiji as it advances its own ID framework.
Additional value and context:
– The exchange with UIDAI is likely to inform Fiji’s emphasis on secure, scalable, and inclusive digital identity solutions, including privacy safeguards and data governance as the country progresses.
– Fiji’s National ID initiative, already advancing through a formal steering structure and legislative drafting, mirrors the international trend of linking identity to streamlined access to healthcare, education, banking, and social services.
– The collaboration could open doors for shared learning on implementation challenges, stakeholder engagement, and governance models that balance rapid service delivery with strong data protection.
Summary: The Fiji delegation’s engagement with India’s UIDAI highlights parallel efforts to build inclusive, digital public infrastructure through national ID programs. By examining Aadhaar and DigiLocker in operation, Fiji aims to accelerate its own National ID Programme, leveraging international best practices to enhance service delivery, financial inclusion, and citizen empowerment. The ongoing Fiji initiative, supported by the ADB and other partners, remains on track for a 36-month timeline and continues to pursue a governance framework that ensures security and inclusivity while driving economic growth.
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