The World Bank has approved a US$21 million grant to support Samoa’s creation of a national digital ID system and to modernise the country’s payment infrastructure.
This funding, allocated under the “Samoa Finance Sector Resilience and Development Project,” aims to enhance financial access for Samoa’s population, with a particular focus on remittance transactions and strengthening the resilience of financial services.
The digital ID project, Samoa’s first, will enable cost-effective onboarding processes, Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, and digital verification for up to 100,000 Samoans.
In addition to providing digital ID numbers and physical ID cards featuring 2D barcodes, the initiative will introduce digital wallets, setting the foundation for a decentralised digital identity model that aligns with international standards.
An estimated $12 million from the grant will directly support the digital ID system, including $4.4 million allocated to ID issuance and digital wallet setup.
The project also addresses financial infrastructure improvements, including the procurement of IT equipment for the Central Bank of Samoa, as well as software for supervisory and regulatory reporting. Machines for card personalization and enhanced civil registration systems are part of the modernization, which aims to support better development planning, monitoring, and resilience across Samoa.
World Bank South Pacific Country Manager Stefano Mocci stated, “We are committed to supporting Samoa’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its digital presence and financial systems. This work will improve service delivery and accessibility, contributing to a more robust financial sector for all Samoans.”
Scheduled to commence in the 2025 fiscal year, this project reflects Samoa’s commitment to advancing its national development priorities, including promoting financial inclusion and strengthening the framework for remittance handling and identity verification.
