Zimbabwe’s FlexID Technologies secures early funding for blockchain-based digital IDs

Jessica Pothering
ImpactAlpha Editor

Jessica Pothering

ImpactAlpha, June 7 – Many people in Africa lack formal identity papers, particularly in remote areas, making it harder to get agricultural support, financial services, health care and education. FlexID Technologies in Zimbabwe says it is replacing paper-based credentials, which are “expensive to issue, manage and verify in emerging market countries where there is no trusted identity infrastructure.”

The company registers and verifies individuals’ identities on the Algorand blockchain platform and lets individuals manage their online IDs via mobile phone.

Last year, FlexID partnered with healthcare provider Ubuntu Clinics to pilot the use of digital identification for 50,000 patients. “The challenge for healthcare systems worldwide is ‘doing more for less,’” said FlexID’s Victor Mapunga.

Algorand’s philanthropic arm invested an undisclosed amount in FlexID via a “simple agreement for equity,” or SAFE.