Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito has directed the National Registration Bureau (NRB) to start issuing national identity cards without expiry dates from today, September 16, 2026.
Mukhito made the announcement on Wednesday in Lilongwe during the launch of the Nzika Digital ID Wallet.
He said the directive is part of government’s efforts to improve the national identification system and make it easier for Malawians to use their identity credentials when accessing various services.
The development means newly issued national identity cards will no longer have expiry dates, ending the requirement for citizens to renew their cards after the expiry of the validity period.
Mukhito said the move will also complement the introduction of the Nzika Digital ID Wallet, which allows citizens to keep a digital copy of their national ID on their mobile devices.
According to government, the digital ID can be used in the same way as the physical national ID when accessing services and carrying out transactions.
Mukhito said a stronger digital identification system would also help government and other institutions improve service delivery.
He said the system could be particularly useful in social protection programmes by helping institutions identify beneficiaries and deliver services more efficiently.
The launch of the Nzika Digital ID Wallet is part of efforts to move Malawi’s national identification system towards digital services.
The National Registration Bureau has previously said Malawi has made significant progress in national ID registration, with the majority of the eligible population now registered.
The introduction of non-expiring IDs is expected to reduce the need for citizens to replace cards simply because they have reached their expiry date, while the digital wallet is expected to give citizens another way of proving their identity.
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