DID:UNCONF AFRICA 2025: South Africa to Host Groundbreaking Internet Identity Workshop

As Africa continues its digital transformation, reshaping how we connect and transact, the demand for innovative digital identity solutions tailored to the continent has never been more urgent. To address this challenge, DID:UNCONF AFRICA 2025 is bringing together experts to collaborate on African-led digital identity solutions.

This year, Stellenbosch in the Western Cape will host the two-day workshop at the prestigious Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) from February 18 to 20, 2025.

A first of its kind for the region, DID:UNCONF AFRICA is an internationally recognized ‘unconference’ that fosters collaboration between local digital identity start-up DIDx and the Internet Identity Workshop (IIW). The event unites innovators, leaders, and activists from both local and international spheres to reshape the future of digital identity across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This gathering will drive innovation, promote collaboration, and focus on creating interoperable, inclusive solutions for digital identity in Africa. Launched in 2005, the IIW typically takes place biannually in Silicon Valley, USA.

What is Digital Identity?

Digital identity refers to the set of attributes that uniquely define an individual or organization online. It is a critical component of modern-day services, from mobile connectivity and online banking to e-health services and government portals. In a digital-first world, having a secure and verifiable identity is essential for accessing essential services and participating in the global economy.

Event Highlights

The first day of DID:UNCONF AFRICA 2025 will focus on the African-Focused Digital Identity Program, delving into the current state of digital identity across South Africa and the broader SADC region. Participants will engage in insightful presentations and panel discussions on local challenges, opportunities, and innovations.

The event will then transition into a more unconventional format: Open Space UnConferences. These participant-driven sessions allow attendees to co-create the event’s agenda in real time, guided by expert facilitators. There will be no keynotes or panels—this unconference approach fosters deep discussions among professionals across various digital identity domains. Renowned facilitator Heidi Nobantu Saul, along with experts from DIDx, will lead the event’s proceedings, ensuring a productive and collaborative environment.

Key Topics of Discussion

At DID:UNCONF AFRICA, discussions will focus on critical issues such as:

– Scaling digital identity in Africa.
– Protecting digital identities from surveillance.
– Creating economically sustainable digital identity models for public services.
– Exploring global digital identity standards within the African context.
– Promoting financial inclusion through digital identity.

Key themes also include self-sovereign identity, blockchain-based identity, and user-centric identity—all of which aim to drive inclusive development across Africa and beyond.

A Platform for Innovation and Collaboration

“We are thrilled to bring the first IIW-inspired event to Africa. DID:UNCONF AFRICA presents a unique opportunity for innovation and collaboration in digital identity, allowing attendees to actively shape the future of this crucial field,” says Gideon Lombard, COO of DIDx.

With several digital identity initiatives already underway across South Africa and the rest of the continent, DID:UNCONF AFRICA serves as a perfect platform to converge diverse stakeholders, align on best practices, and set a unified course for the future of digital identity in Africa.

Bridging the Digital Identity Gap

The event aims to bridge the existing digital identity gap in the SADC region, offering a space for knowledge exchange and networking. Through this collaboration, DID:UNCONF AFRICA will contribute to creating a more inclusive and accessible digital economy for Africa’s future.

Ultimately, DID:UNCONF AFRICA isn’t just an event—it’s a movement toward a more secure, inclusive, and innovative digital future for Africa.

For more information, registration details, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit DID:UNCONF AFRICA.