The Government of The Gambia has officially launched its first unified National Identity Management System (GAM ID), a major digital infrastructure project aimed at strengthening national security, improving public service delivery and accelerating digital transformation.
The ECOWAS-compliant system was developed through a Public-Private Partnership between the Government of The Gambia and Ghanaian technology firm Margins ID Group, under the theme: “One Identity, One Nation: Advancing Inclusion, Security and Digital Transformation in The Gambia.”
President Adama Barrow, who was issued the country’s first national identity card at the launch, described the initiative as a landmark achievement in the country’s nation-building and digital modernisation agenda.
The launch event also featured the inauguration of the National Identity Management System Data Centre at Abuko and was attended by cabinet ministers, diplomats, development partners and senior government officials.
President Barrow said the system would provide every citizen with a secure and verifiable identity through a single national register, while also enhancing government planning, improving service delivery, strengthening national security and supporting the growth of the digital economy.
He commended Margins ID Group for providing the technology, financing, technical expertise and operational support for the project, stressing that ownership of the system remains with the people of The Gambia.
According to him, the partnership also contributes to job creation, skills development and demonstrates the capacity of African technology firms to deliver sovereign digital infrastructure.
The National Data Centre, built by Margins ID Group, will handle biometric enrolment, identity authentication, credential management and real-time verification, while ensuring that all identity data is securely hosted within The Gambia.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, Mr Amadou Nyang, said the GAM ID system would serve as the backbone of a connected government, enabling secure data sharing across ministries, departments and agencies through a single trusted identity platform.
The Director-General of the Gambia ICT Agency, Prof. Abdulkarim Jalloh, added that the system would eliminate duplication of personal data and reduce the need for citizens to repeatedly submit information to different state institutions.
Chief Executive Officer of Margins ID Group, Mr Moses Kwesi Baiden Jr., said the project represents the result of years of collaboration and trust between both parties, noting that digital identity is central to modern economic development.
He explained that the platform would support e-government services, digital payments, e-commerce and financial inclusion, while also helping to reduce fraud and identity theft.
As part of the rollout, Margins ID Systems Applications Limited donated 17 vehicles to the Ministry of Interior to support nationwide biometric registration and operational deployment.
The Ministry announced that a nationwide continuous registration exercise will begin on August 4, 2026, following a pilot phase that started on July 6.
It also stated that the new National Identity Card will be required for obtaining a driver’s licence, while foreign residents must obtain a Resident or Alien Identity Card to access similar services.
