Azerbaijan is set to have 1 million citizens using digital identities by the end of 2026, according to an announcement made by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.
This move is part of the country’s broader plan to expand its digital economy and enhance public access to e-government services.
As of July, 65% of Azerbaijan’s population has adopted the national mobile digital ID, Asan İmza, eliminating the need for physical ID cards. In September, the nation’s largest mobile network operator, Azercell, began accepting digital ID cards for all transactions, allowing customers to verify their identity via the Mygov application.
This initiative aligns with the country’s ambitious digital transformation goals. A report from the Investing in the Digital Economy of Azerbaijan (IDEA) project, supported by the World Economic Forum (WEF), identified digital identity as one of the top technologies aiding foreign investors in navigating compliance and operations within Azerbaijan.
“Digital identity verification solutions rank at the top when it comes to facilitating investment operations,” the report stated, emphasizing the crucial role of digital IDs in enabling participation in the country’s digital economy.
However, the report also noted that Azerbaijan’s digital identity program is still in its early stages, and further expansion could drive increased digital activity across the nation.
In the announcement, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Samir Mammadov outlined additional goals, including equipping 65% of Azerbaijan’s population with basic digital skills by 2026. He also emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to providing broadband internet access to all regions of the country by the end of 2024 through the ‘Online Azerbaijan’ project.
“To achieve these ambitious goals, we must equip every family with high-speed broadband internet,” Mammadov said, underscoring the importance of connectivity in supporting the country’s digital future.
