The African continent continues to experience rapid economic growth and increased global integration. There has been great improvement in areas like Travel and Tourism. Nevertheless, Africa's vast and diverse geography presents significant challenges to interconnectivity. Many Africans have to take longer routes traveling within Africa due to the absence of an interconnected identity system. Initiatives like the African Union’s Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) aim to address these issues by creating a unified air transport market across the continent. Enhanced digital systems are unarguably critical to achieving this goal, thereby facilitating easier cross-border travel and regulatory harmonization.

Natascha Trivisas, Senior Director of Marketing Communications at HID’s Citizen Identity (CID) business area, emphasized that digital travel systems are a vital component of digital public infrastructure (DPI). Trivisas pointed out that implementing digital travel credentials and advanced identification solutions can significantly enhance air travel in Africa. These technologies not only improve security and operational efficiency but also foster a more inclusive approach to identity management.

An IATA survey highlighted the potential economic benefits of such advancements. If 12 African countries opened their air markets, they could create 155,000 jobs and generate an additional $1.3 billion in GDP annually. This increase in air travel would also support the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), unlocking the potential of a single trade market.

The recent ID4Africa 2024 event in Cape Town, South Africa, showcased groundbreaking technologies that promise to revolutionize the travel experience across Africa. At the heart of the ID4Africa 2024 event, HID Global presented a suite of innovative solutions aimed at creating a secure and inclusive digital identity future.

- Digital Travel Credentials (DTC): These mobile passports are designed to streamline the travel process, enhancing security and efficiency for both citizens and governments. DTCs integrate biometric data and digital ID features, representing a significant leap forward in travel technology.

- Personalized ID Issuance: HID offers cloud-based solutions, desktop issuance printers, and laser engraving technology, enabling the creation of highly secure and easily manageable ID cards. These tools support remote issuance and management, crucial for modern identity systems.

- Citizen Enrollment and Identity Security: Comprehensive solutions that ensure secure and inclusive identity management, essential for socio-economic development across the continent.

Africa is on the brink of a digital transformation in air travel, with digital identity systems playing a crucial role. The technologies and initiatives presented at ID4Africa 2024 by HID Global and other innovators signal a promising future for secure, efficient, and inclusive air travel across the continent. We are getting to an era in which most of the activities in Africa will be digital. It may take longer in Africa but it is surely going to come.