Namibia could soon introduce electronic identity card (e-ID), the immigration ministry announced Thursday.

An electronic ID can be used for online or offline personal identification or authentication.

The idea to introduce e-IDs is in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals that seek to provide identities for all by 2030.

Immigration deputy minister Erustus Uutoni said this when he launched the Namibian Identity Management System report in Windhoek.

The report, compiled with help from the World Bank, assesses the government's readiness to introduce the e-ID cards.

"Namibia is to consider a multi-step approach to identification cards by phasing out the South West African and the current national ID card, while phasing in an e-ID card," Uutoni said, adding that an e-ID card could lead to effective service delivery to citizens and residents alike.  

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2016)