Digital Identification Systems, Digital Financial Services And Household Welfare In Ghana

This project investigates how Ghana’s new biometric ID (Ghana Card) can improve household welfare by expanding access to digital financial services and social protection programs. Partnering with the National Identification Authority (NIA), the research team aims to assess how the adoption of secure digital IDs influences inclusion among low-income and marginalized groups, including women and persons with disabilities. The study will pilot a subsidy program to make registration more affordable for vulnerable populations and measure the impact of increased access to identification on financial behavior, credit access, and the use of government services. Insights from this work will inform the design of a future randomized evaluation to examine the broader economic and social impacts of digital ID adoption in Ghana.