The World Bank has reiterated its commitment to supporting global digital identity and payment systems through its Identification for Development (ID4D) and Government to Person Payments (G2PX) initiatives.
The global financial body aims to help the estimated 850 million people worldwide who currently lack legal and digital identities, while also expanding access to seamless digital payments.
This pledge was highlighted in the World Bank’s 2023 ID4D and G2PX annual report titled “Putting People at the Center of DPI.” The report outlines progress in making digital public infrastructure (DPI) a key tool for providing critical public services globally.
Released earlier this year, the report reviews the World Bank’s ongoing efforts to bridge the identification gap and scale up digital payments. It emphasizes the importance of inclusive DPI that prioritizes user-centricity, safety, and empowerment, particularly for marginalized groups such as women, persons with disabilities, and low-income populations.
The report details the World Bank’s strategy for closing identification gaps, including exploring low-tech solutions and partnering with local organizations to address barriers faced by vulnerable groups. It also underscores the need for collaborative action to enhance DPI for service delivery.
Despite being implemented separately, the ID4D and G2PX initiatives are united under the World Bank’s DPI umbrella, which is increasingly shaping global digital transformation efforts. The report highlights three main focus areas for ID4D: establishing digital identities for online transactions, improving service delivery through identity verification, and building universally accepted foundational ID systems.
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Looking ahead, the World Bank plans to prioritize data-sharing components of DPI, scale up country-focused research, and guide new ID technologies. For G2PX, the Bank will support countries in implementing adaptive and resilient digital G2P payments.
The report also highlights the achievements of the ID4D and G2PX initiatives in 2023, including the scaling up of research, approval of over $500 million for new projects, and technical assistance for digital payment systems. The success of these initiatives is bolstered by the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) partnership network, which includes organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK government.
By 2025, the ID4D initiative is expected to improve the lives of 550 million people across nearly 60 countries, enhancing access to services, economic opportunities, and the ability to exercise rights. Meanwhile, G2PX supports 35 countries in digitalizing payments, benefiting over 120 million people with more to come as the program expands.
