Rwanda to introduce biometric tech in sim swap-registration by end of 2019

MTN Rwanda is expecting to launch biometric technology for sim swap and registration by the end of 2019. Airtel Rwanda is also pondering over the launch of biometric sim card registration once it gets green signal from Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA).

Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority released a law on the regulation of sim card registration in July 2017. A sub-committee was established in charge of studying the incorporation of the biometric system into sim card registration. The role of the sub-committee is to figure out which systems will be the best fit for the country's mobile customers and operators. It also may include devices for sales agents or creation of applications for downloading.

Although telecom companies in several countries have already adopted biometric technology and it is already flourishing, the technology is quite new to the African continent. However, a major East African telecom is preparing to implement biometric registration for customers even in swapping sims.

The introduction of biometric technology is taken quite series in Rwanda due to several fraud cases. Two weeks back, one more incident in Rwanda is proving the urgent adoption of biometric technology by all the telecom providers.

A resident of Rutsiro district, Ernest Nsanzineza became a victim of fraud around two weeks back when the strangers swapped his wife's phone number and somehow found their way into her mobile bank application. They hacked Rwf2.5 million from her bank account, as reported by The New Times.

Once the matter did spread like fire, the hackers' bank accounts were blocked and police arrested one fraudster involved in the case. The investigation is still going on. Ernest Nsanzineza is still unsure how they were able to gain access to the bank account but he has appealed for tighter safety measures in the process of sim swapping to shun such occurrences.

The flaws in sim registration and swapping process persist as some agents are not diligent to ask and verify customers' identity card. "In the past, people would swap and there weren't agents who were very diligent in getting the ID cards. But we have had a very extensive exercise where we ensure that our agents always have to ask for the IDs from the people who are swapping so that they don't just get any other person's number," said Teta Mpyisi, the Senior Brand and Sponsorship Manager at MTN, The New Times noted.

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