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Kiribati

Last updated : August 14, 2025

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Digital ID Overview

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Kiribati does not yet have a digital ID system however, it is making rapid advances towards establishing a digital ID through the development of the Kiribati Digital Government Project (KDGP).citation_7 Currently, the KDGP project has five components, including a Digital ID and e-signatures platform and government services portal with digital services.citation_8 With little clarity on which services will form a part of the new digital ID system, the Kiribati government seeks to upgrade and integrate the existing National ID and Civil Registry systems into the new system to be used by all citizens, government agencies, and the private sector.citation_9 The available information does not explicitly state whether the digital ID will be mandatory and there is no special mention of access to the digital ID for foreign citizens, refugees, dual citizens, or stateless individuals in the available documents.

Kiribati aims to establish a digital identity (ID) system as part of its broader digital transformation efforts outlined in the Digital Government Master Plan (2021), supported by the IDA-financed Kiribati Connectivity Project.citation_10 The Master Plan envisions foundational changes, such as digitizing government processes, enabling data sharing among agencies under the “once-only” principle, and creating e-services for citizens.citation_11 The government recognizes the importance of digital infrastructure for development and has committed to transforming public service delivery through its National ICT Policy (2019) and 20-year vision (KV20).citation_12 However, challenges persist, including the lack of interoperability between ministries, limited digital skills, and the absence of legislation for electronic transactions, signatures, and privacy protections.citation_13

The National Identity Registration Act (2018) established a national ID system, which is issued as a smartcard national ID.citation_14 The national ID’s limited coverage and barriers such as high costs to both the government and public, card expiry periods, and lack of coverage for children hinder its effectiveness.citation_15 While not mandatory, the ID system requires payment for access, and foreign citizens, dual citizens, and stateless individuals can obtain a national ID if they meet this requirement.citation_16

Women, particularly in rural areas, face significant barriers to obtaining formal identification. Efforts to enhance identification and digital services remain fragmented, with little public or third-party expert involvement in formulating the framework.citation_18 Current government services, such as obtaining vital records or registering businesses, remain largely manual, highlighting the substantial efforts required to establish a functional and inclusive digital ID framework in Kiribati.citation_19


Law

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Domestic law and policy

Kiribati currently lacks a comprehensive legal and policy framework to support digital identity.[20]It has not yet established the necessary implementing rules under its Electronic Transactions Act (2021) which are essential for ensuring that electronic transactions and digital signatures can be used securely and reliably throughout government systems and online public services.[21]In addition, the existing legal basis for ID, the National Identity Registration Act (2018), needs to be revised to support the creation of a trustworthy digital ID system that can serve as the gateway for accessing a wide range of services.[22]Digital identity is not clearly defined under existing domestic laws or policies, and there is no explicit linkage established between digital identity and citizenship. Furthermore, the absence of a formal legal or policy framework means there are no mechanisms in place for filing or resolving complaints related to digital ID. However, the Digital Government Master Plan reveals a plan to develop an Information and Communication Technology policy and review and develop legislation in relation to the creation of a digital ID system.[23]Currently, there are no laws addressing cyber safety or harmful digital communications, which have been flagged as significant community concerns in the Digital Government Master Plan.[24]These gaps highlight the need for Kiribati to develop a robust framework to support the implementation and regulation of digital identity systems.

Data Protection

In January 2022, Kiribati passed a comprehensive Data Protection Policy, outlining several principles aimed at safeguarding personal data within its systems.[25]One aspect that the Policy emphasized was that personal data must be stored securely, accessed only by authorized personnel, and deleted when no longer needed.Kiribati also passed the Data Protection Act (2025), which primarily aligns with the core principles of GDPR,[27]mandates that personal data be processed lawfully, fairly, and confidentially, requiring data controllers to inform individuals about the collection and use of their data to promote transparency.[28]Furthermore, the Act requires data controllers to collect, process, and retain minimal data as long as it is aligned with the specific purpose of data processing.[29]The Act also grants individuals rights such as correction of inaccuracies, the right to lodge complaints, and cross-border data transfers.[30]An individual found to commit an offence under the Act can face penalties up to KID 20,000 (~USD 12,900) or imprisonment up to 10 years or both.[31]Unlike the GDPR, Kiribati’s Data Protection Act includes the right to erasure (the right to be forgotten) as a basic provision in the Act but does not clearly articulate the right to be erased in the case of withdrawal of consent or other legal grounds in which the right to be forgotten can be upheld.[32]

International Commitments

As Kiribati’s digital ID is not yet implemented, there are no current contradictions of the obligations under the treaties Kiribati is party to. Kiribati is not a party to international treaties specific to digital ID or data privacy and protection. As Kiribati continues to develop its digital ID system, it is important to do so in line with its international obligations under the human rights treaties it is party to, including the Statelessness Conventions, the CRC, and CEDAW.[33]


Designed to Include?

The Impact of Digital ID and Legal Identity on Citizenship and Nationality Rights

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Considering that Kiribati’s digital ID is still in the developmental stages, it makes it difficult to assess its impact at the current stage. However, the plans do include language showing inclusive intentions, especially with the onset of the Data Protection Act. It is still unclear whether digital ID will be mandatory or whether stateless persons will be eligible to access the system.

There is also planning and discussion around improving connectivity in Kiribati to ensure greater inclusion in the new digital ID and result in increased economic empowerment in the country.[34]For this, infrastructural gaps in the country would need to be filled, considering only 14% currently have access to mobile phones and the high costs of internet access.[35]Individuals residing in remote parts of the country, in particular women, elderly, or persons with disabilities, face barriers in accessing national ID due to the logistical complexities that include high travel costs and waiting times.[36]As internet use grows in Kiribati, prioritizing data governance, cybersecurity, and user safety will be essential to ensuring equitable access, transparency and accountability in digital services.[37]

References
1.^

 Lucio Valerio Sarandrea, ‘Making the “Invisible” Visible by Giving Children a Legal Identity’ (UNICEF East Asia and Pacific, 25 June 2021) <https://www.unicef.org/eap/stories/making-invisible-visible-giving-children-legal-identity> accessed 23 May 2025.

2.^

Pacific Community, Pacific CRVS, and UNICEF, ‘Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Kiribati’ (2021) <https://sdd.spc.int/digital_library/civil-registration-and-vital-statistics-kiribati>.

3.^

 Pacific Community, Pacific CRVS, and UNICEF, ‘Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Kiribati’ (2021) <https://sdd.spc.int/digital_library/civil-registration-and-vital-statistics-kiribati>.

4.^

 Pacific Community, Pacific CRVS, and UNICEF, ‘Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Kiribati’ (2021) <https://sdd.spc.int/digital_library/civil-registration-and-vital-statistics-kiribati>.

5.^

Pacific Community, Pacific CRVS, and UNICEF, ‘Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Kiribati’ (2021) <https://sdd.spc.int/digital_library/civil-registration-and-vital-statistics-kiribati>.

21.^

Electronic Transactions Act (2021) (Kiribati); World Bank, ‘Project Appraisal Document on a Proposed Grant in the Amount of SDR 8.7 Million to the Republic of Kiribati for a Kiribati Digital Government Project’ (World Bank 2022) PAD4752 14 <https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/852781653593751829/pdf/Kiribati-Digital-Government-Project.pdf?>.

22.^

World Bank, ‘Project Appraisal Document on a Proposed Grant in the Amount of SDR 8.7 Million to the Republic of Kiribati for a Kiribati Digital Government Project’ (World Bank 2022) PAD4752 14 <https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/852781653593751829/pdf/Kiribati-Digital-Government-Project.pdf>. 

23.^

‘Digital Government Master Plan’ (The Government of Kiribati 2021) <https://www.mict.gov.ki/publications/digital-government-master-plan>.

24.^

 ‘Digital Government Master Plan’ (The Government of Kiribati 2021) <https://www.mict.gov.ki/publications/digital-government-master-plan>.

27.^

‘Data Protection Principles: Core Principles of the GDPR, Examples, and Best Practices’ (Cloudian) <https://cloudian.com/guides/data-protection/data-protection-principles-7-core-principles-of-the-gdpr/> accessed 23 May 2025

28.^

Data Protection Act (2025), s 7 (Kiribati).

29.^

 Data Protection Act (2025), s 10 (Kiribati)

30.^

Data Protection Act (2025), s 23, 15, 26  (Kiribati)

31.^

Data Protection Act (2025), s 29 (1) (Kiribati).

32.^

Data Protection Act (2025), s 15 (Kiribati).

33.^

 United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies, UN Treaty Body Database; States Parties to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, UNHCR.

34.^

‘Connecting People in Remote Kiribati’ (World Bank) <https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/08/03/connecting-people-in-remote-kiribati> accessed 23 May 2025.

35.^

‘Connecting People in Remote Kiribati’ (World Bank) <https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/08/03/connecting-people-in-remote-kiribati> accessed 23 May 2025.

36.^

World Bank, ‘Project Appraisal Document on a Proposed Grant in the Amount of SDR 8.7 Million to the Republic of Kiribati for a Kiribati Digital Government Project’ (World Bank 2022) PAD4752 59 <https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/852781653593751829/pdf/Kiribati-Digital-Government-Project.pdf>.

37.^

 World Bank, ‘Project Appraisal Document on a Proposed Grant in the Amount of SDR 8.7 Million to the Republic of Kiribati for a Kiribati Digital Government Project’ (World Bank 2022) PAD4752 15 <https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/852781653593751829/pdf/Kiribati-Digital-Government-Project.pdf>.

See Statelessness Overview
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