Vanuatu and Algeria are taking decisive steps in their respective digital transformation journeys, with the Pacific island nation pushing ahead with a national digital identity system and Algeria advancing toward the nationwide rollout of eSIM technology to modernize its telecom infrastructure.
Vanuatu’s Digital ID Initiative
Vanuatu’s Department of Communication and Digital Information (DCDT) has launched a public consultation to refine the draft Digital Transformation Bill, which will establish a national digital ID system. The initiative, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to provide secure, inclusive, and interoperable identity services across healthcare, education, and other key sectors.
According to John Jack, Director of the DCDT, the consultation will focus on data protection, third-party access, and privacy, with facial recognition technology forming the foundation of the new system. The government has already partnered with Engineering Business Services Limited and Code 200 Solutions to design and develop the technical architecture of the digital ID.
Authorities are also assessing national readiness and digital literacy levels, recognizing the need for large-scale citizen awareness programs. Despite low digital literacy rates, the government sees the digital ID as a cornerstone for building a secure, connected, and data-driven economy.
This effort comes alongside broader digital economy reforms, including a digital asset framework passed earlier this year to guide service provider licensing and operations — a move signaling Vanuatu’s intent to diversify its economy beyond tourism and fisheries.
Algeria’s eSIM Modernization Push
Meanwhile, Algeria has announced plans to introduce embedded SIM (eSIM) technology as part of its broader digitalization strategy. The initiative, backed by the highest levels of government, follows a meeting led by Sid Ali Zerrouki, Minister of Post and Telecommunications, who outlined a roadmap for integrating eSIMs into mobile service packages nationwide.
eSIMs, which are embedded directly into mobile devices, will enable users to activate multiple lines without physical SIM cards, providing greater flexibility for consumers and paving the way for new applications in travel, automotive, and logistics sectors.
Minister Zerrouki highlighted that the adoption of eSIMs will enhance digital security, reduce costs, and streamline user experiences, while also helping operators phase out physical SIMs over time. He urged telecom operators and regulators to coordinate efforts and share infrastructure to manage investment costs efficiently, ensuring the rollout meets international technical standards.
The move underscores Algeria’s ambition to position itself as a regional digital leader, even as the government continues to maintain strict regulations on digital assets and cryptocurrency use.
Driving Regional Digital Innovation
These developments in Vanuatu and Algeria reflect a broader wave of telecom and digital innovation across emerging markets. The African Telecommunications Union recently partnered with the London-based Metaverse Institute to accelerate adoption of next-generation technologies, while other global players like South Korea’s KT and India’s DoT are investing heavily in AI, metaverse, and digital twin technologies to future-proof the telecommunications sector.
