BEGINNING in July 2026, citizens in Papua New Guinea are expected to be able to claim their electronic National ID (eNID) through SevisWallet, as part of the government's broader digital identity rollout. The initiative is designed to let people securely receive and use their digital identity from a mobile device instead of relying solely on a physical ID.
The Acting Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Peter Tsiamalili Jr, MP, and the Minister for Administrative Services, Richard Masere, MP, today announced that their respective ministries are working together to streamline efforts to strengthen Papua New Guinea’s digital identity ecosystem.
Through this collaboration, the Civil Registry will facilitate a secure, citizen-consent based integration between the National Identification Database and SevisWallet. This will enable citizens whose records are held within the NID database, currently numbering approximately 4.2 million, to claim their NID in digital form as an eNID Verifiable Credential.
The Ministers confirmed that the eNID Verifiable Credential will be available through SevisWallet from 21 July 2026.
They emphasized that citizen consent is central to the design and implementation of this integration. Identity information will not be transferred or used without the consent of the
citizen and this is consistent with both the Civil Identity and Registry Act and the Digital Government Act. The SevisWallet App will provide citizens with a secure and convenient way to claim, store and use their eNID Credential in digital form.
Once available, citizens will be able to store their eNID Verifiable Credential in SevisWallet alongside other trusted digital credentials, including SevisPass and Police Clearance Certificates. Citizens who claim their eNID Credential will also be able to upgrade their SevisPass to Tier 2, enabling access to more digital services, including financial services and other regulated services requiring stronger identity verification.
Minister Tsiamalili Jr said the initiative is an important step in building Papua New Guinea’s national trust infrastructure.
“SevisWallet will allow citizens to carry trusted digital credentials in a secure, consent-based and convenient way. This will reduce reliance on physical documents, improve access to services, and support stronger participation in the digital economy.”
Minister Masere said the Civil Registry remains the custodian of civil identity records and will continue to safeguard the integrity of the NID database.
“By enabling citizens to claim their NID in digital form through SevisWallet, we are improving service delivery while maintaining the authority and integrity of the Civil Registry.”
The ministers further confirmed that the next step will be to utilise eNID and SevisWallet to support the update of the Electoral Roll, in close consultation with the Electoral Commission and relevant authorities.
The Government encourages citizens to start downloading the SevisWallet App in advance, now available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, in preparation for the eNID Verifiable Credential becoming available from 21 July 2026.
The National Executive Council has endorsed the National Digital Identity Policy 2025, paving the way for the introduction of SevisPass, Papua New Guinea’s digital identity system that will serve as a cornerstone of our national digital transformation and digital public infrastructure.
SevisPass marks a turning point in how Papua New Guineans will identify and access services. For the first time, citizens will be able to create a self-enrolled, self-proofed digital ID and securely store it in digital form, giving them full control over their own identity and associated personal identity.
Through the SevisPortal, individuals can enrol themselves, strengthen their identity over time, and use their SevisPass to securely access both government and private sector services.
The system will operate on a three-tiered model. Citizens may begin with a basic entry-level digital ID — possibly without documentation — and then progressively strengthen their SevisPass by linking functional IDs such as a National Identification (NID) card, driver’s licence, passport, police clearance certificate, or registered SIM card. Importantly, the NID will continue to remain a foundational source of identity, forming the basis upon which other credentials can be layered.
To accelerate adoption, the system will pre-issue SevisPass credentials for citizens who already possess one of these functional IDs. Based on existing records, we estimate that at least 2.5 million Papua New Guineans will automatically be issued a SevisPass upon launch or within the first three months after launch.
A critical enabler of this ecosystem will be the SevisDEx (Data Exchange Layer), which provides the trusted, secure, and interoperable backbone for linking SevisPass to government and regulated private sector databases. Consultations with government data custodians commenced on 1st October 2025 to prepare for this integration, ensuring that SevisPass can operate as a trusted national platform from day one.
The benefits of SevisPass and SevisDEx are far-reaching. A secure digital identity system will expand financial inclusion, allowing citizens without prior documentation to open bank accounts and access services. It will strengthen
AML/CTF compliance and support PNG’s efforts to address FATF greylisting. It will enable an accurate and updated Common Roll, improving our democratic processes.
And most importantly, it will stimulate growth in the broader economy by enabling trusted digital transactions, reducing fraud, and improving efficiency across sectors from finance and telecoms to education and health.
The SevisPortal and SevisPass infrastructure will be opened through a staggered process commencing 30th October 2025, with progressive consultations to be undertaken with key regulators — NICTA, Bank of Papua New Guinea, and particularly FASU — as well as with industry players including banks and telecommunication providers.
