Dear DIF Community,
We are excited to announce the launch of the Decentralised Identity Foundation (DIF) Africa Special Interest Group (SIG). This initiative represents a significant milestone in our collective efforts to promote, advance, and support the development and adoption of decentralised identity technologies and standards across Africa.
About the DIF Africa SIG:
The DIF Africa SIG has been established to foster collaboration among African organisations, institutions, and individuals who are passionate about decentralised identity technologies. Operating under the Decentralised Identity Foundation (DIF), the SIG aims to create an open ecosystem for decentralised identity, focusing on Africa’s unique requirements and use cases.
Purpose and Scope:
The primary goals of the DIF Africa SIG include:
- Promoting awareness, understanding, and education about decentralised identity within the African community.
- Encouraging collaboration among stakeholders to address specific issues, opportunities, and use cases relevant to the African market.
- Contributing to the development of decentralised identity standards with an emphasis on Africa’s needs.
- Advocating for the adoption of decentralised identity solutions among African enterprises, government bodies, and individuals.
The SIG will engage in various activities, including technical collaboration with other DIF working groups, outreach and education initiatives, and advocacy efforts to drive the adoption of decentralised identity technologies across the continent. We are committed to ensuring that the solutions developed are interoperable and tailored to the African ecosystem.
Membership and Leadership:
Membership in the DIF Africa SIG is open to any organisation, institution, or individual interested in supporting the mission and objectives of the SIG. We encourage broad participation from African entities and experts, regardless of DIF membership status.
We are pleased to announce the leadership of the DIF Africa SIG, with Gideon Lombard from DIDx, serving as the Chair, and Jack Scott-King, representing VERA, as the Co-Chair. Together, they will lead the group’s activities, represent the SIG within DIF, and ensure alignment with the charter.
Inaugural Meeting:
We invite you to join us for the inaugural meeting of the DIF Africa SIG on 16 October from 1:00 to 2:00 PM South African Standard Time. This meeting will be a great opportunity to discuss our goals, outline our roadmap, and explore ways to get involved.
Link: https://calendar.app.google/8QVaRaFP9U1YQ9Ms8
Meetings and Communications:
The SIG will conduct its meetings primarily through teleconferences, email lists, and online collaboration tools, holding regular sessions to discuss progress and share updates. We will adhere to the DIF Code of Conduct in all our activities.
We are eager to begin this journey and invite you to participate in the DIF Africa SIG. We look forward to your engagement and insights as we explore how best to collaborate.
Thank you for your support and enthusiasm for advancing decentralised identity technologies in Africa!
Best regards,
The DIF Africa SIG Team.
