Papua New Guinea’s Department of Information and Communications Technology introduced the proposed Digital Identity and Verifiable Credentials Bill in May 2026, advancing the Pacific island nation’s transition to a national digital identity system. The legislation follows the endorsement of PNG’s National Digital ID Policy in 2025.
ICT Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr described the bill as marking a shift from policy development to implementation. The government has set July 2026 as the target date for full system rollout, giving stakeholders approximately two months to achieve technical, regulatory, and operational readiness.
Three-System Framework
The proposed legislation will establish three core systems. SevisPass provides digital ID verification. SevisWallet functions as an identity wallet for holding and presenting credentials. SevisDEx enables consent-based data exchange between parties.
Tech5 developed SevisWallet and SevisPass, launching both platforms in 2025. The SevisWallet app is currently available on both the iOS App Store and Google Play.
Use Cases and Stakeholder Requirements
The framework targets use cases including electronic know-your-customer checks, SIM registration, secure onboarding, financial inclusion, and digital verification of credentials. Verifiable credentials will cover driver’s licences, police clearances, student and teacher IDs, education certificates, tax identification numbers, and superannuation records.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology has called on banks, financial institutions, mobile network operators, telecommunications providers, government agencies, education institutions, and professional bodies to complete preparations by the end of July 2026. Issuers, verifiers, and relying partners are expected to align their systems and compliance pathways to support the rollout.
Regional Context
PNG’s digital ID initiative represents a significant development among Pacific island nations, many of which face infrastructure challenges in implementing national digital identity systems. The framework is designed to support both government and private-sector services, establishing a broader ecosystem of identity wallets, verifiable credentials, and consent-based data exchange.
The tight implementation timeline raises questions about whether stakeholders across PNG’s diverse geography can meet the July deadline, particularly in a context where digital infrastructure and regulatory capacity vary significantly across the country.
Sources
Biometric Update: Papua New Guinea builds legal foundation for digital identity ecosystem
Digital Watch Observatory: Papua New Guinea digital ID law
IDTech Wire: Papua New Guinea begins drafting Digital ID and Verifiable Credentials Bill