Bridging the
Digital Identity
Gap in the SADC Region.
When:
25-27 September 2024
Where:
The Hasso Plattner Design School
University of Cape Town
South Africa
What is did:UnConf Africa?
did:unConf Africa brings together innovators, leaders, and activists in reshaping the future of digital identity in the region to foster innovation, collaboration and interoperability to together make a huge difference to economies of the SADC Region by ensuring everyone is included and no-one is left behind.
A 1-Day African Focused Digital Identity Symposium
An engaging day focused on exploring digital identity in the SADC region. Presentations and panel discussion sharing innovations, challenges, and solutions tailored for Africa.
Followed by a 2-Day IIW Inspired Open Space unConference
Open Space unConferences are particularly generative: with a professional facilitator, we will co-create the agenda live each day of the event. There are no keynotes or panels, it’s all about exploring the topic with professional peers from a range of identity areas. Click here to learn more.
Why did:unConf Africa Now?
The genesis of the event was the realization that the SADC region, despite its potential, has untapped opportunities and unresolved challenges in the realm of digital identity. Our inaugural conference intentionally places an emphasis on the vast disparities in the digital identity ecosystem and provides a stage for creative solutions tailored for the African context. Beyond mere dialogue, the did:unConf Africa event format fosters actionable insights, encouraging stakeholders to drive real-world change.
Intention - Vision - Aim - Dedication
Broadening Participation:
Our primary aim is to provide a place and time for local innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders to actively engage in discussions and collaborations with international experts.
Facilitating Local and International Exchange:
Our vision is to attract a diverse audience from the South African Development Community (SADC) region and beyond. We see did:unConf Africa as a bridge connecting local and international participants, enriching the global discourse on digital identity.
Promoting SSI and Digital Identity:
We intend to raise awareness and accelerate the adoption of SSI and digital identity solutions. Our goal is to create a thriving ecosystem where SSI can flourish, addressing pressing identity issues and empowering individuals across Africa.
Fostering Inclusive Innovation:
We are dedicated to breaking down barriers that may have limited participation in tech events, particularly by underrepresented groups such as women and marginalised communities.
Empowering Digital Identity Startups:
did:unConf Africa will provide a platform for startups to showcase their solutions through a Speed Demo Hour, connect with potential investors and partners, and gain valuable insights from industry experts. By fostering a supportive ecosystem for digital identity startups, we aim to accelerate the adoption of groundbreaking technologies in the field.
Who is this event for?
Passionate about digital identity or part of its ecosystem? Whether you're a researcher, technologist, government leader, startup founder, working with a global NGO, in banking or just curious, join us to mold the future, establish connections, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue in digital identity.
We aim to create a space where every voice can be heard, from startups to industry giants, with public and private sector interaction as one of the primary focal points.
Important Areas to be Discussed in the SADC Region
- Assessing Readiness for Digital Identity at Scale in Africa
- Protective Identity Systems Against Surveillance
- Economically Sustainable Digital ID Models for Citizen Services
- Decentralized Identity & IoT in Africa
- Global Digital Identity Standards in the African Context
- Financial Inclusion Through Digital Identity
- Low & No Data Solutions: Leaving No-One Behind in Digital Identity
- Innovative Solutions for African Use-Cases
did:unConf Africa serves as an efficient platform to meet and discuss, share your knowledge, work on and learn about anything & everything related to Digital and Decentralized Identity in the SADC region today.
Event Background
The did:unConf Africa event is an Internet Identity Workshop Inspired™ Regionally Focused OpenSpace Unconference. The two facilitators and producers of IIW, Kaliya Young, also known as the Identity Woman, and Heidi Nobantu Saul collaborated with a local partner DIDx to host and produce this first edition of did:unConf Africa in Cape Town, South Africa in September 2024.
The second and third days of the event will be hosted with the same Open Space unConference format that the Internet Identity Workshop has used for the past 19 years.
