Identy.io Accelerates African Expansion with Biometric Identity Solutions

Identy.io, a global leader in mobile-first biometric authentication technology, has announced plans to expand its operations in Africa, initially focusing on Kenya and Nigeria. The company aims to bridge the digital identity gap and support economic development across the continent.

To drive this growth, Identy.io has appointed a regional leadership team to work with governments, financial services, telecommunications companies, and other regulated sectors. Matus Kapusta has been named Product Director for the company’s Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) portfolio.

With many African countries implementing national digital identity systems to enhance service delivery, financial inclusion, and public digital infrastructure, the demand for reliable identity verification solutions is growing. According to World Bank ID4D data, roughly 80% of adults in Sub-Saharan Africa have basic identification, but coverage varies significantly, with several nations below 70%. These gaps limit access to essential services and economic opportunities. Countries such as Kenya and Nigeria are investing in digital infrastructure, integrating identity systems with public services, financial platforms, and mobile connectivity as part of broader economic development plans.

“Identy.io is committed to being the leading long-term partner in digital public and private infrastructure for our African clients. We are transforming the traditional industry model, which often relies on expensive and inflexible digital infrastructure. Instead, Identy.io adopts a software-first approach, minimizing reliance on specialised biometric hardware. Our technology supports biometric capture using standard smartphones, processes identity documents, issues digital identities to individuals lacking formal identification, and facilitates large-scale biometric verification and deduplication. This innovative yet simplified approach allows our clients to reach underserved communities by providing individuals with multimodal access to secure their digital identities and explore new economic opportunities,” said Antony Vendhan, Co-founder of Identy.io.

Identy.io’s expansion strategy in Africa begins with Kenya and Nigeria, with plans for further regional growth. The company’s regional leadership team will collaborate with public and private sector clients to implement responsible, scalable identity solutions aligned with national digital transformation agendas.

As part of its industry validation efforts, Identy.io’s ABIS system has completed MOSIP’s partner compliance process and is now listed on the MOSIP Marketplace. The platform enables governments and ecosystem partners to evaluate compliant technologies for MOSIP-aligned deployments. MOSIP supports governments in designing, implementing, and owning digital ID systems tailored to their specific needs.

Key leadership appointments supporting Identy.io’s regional growth include:

• Dr Olajide Olasiyan-Ola, Regional Head for West Africa: With over 20 years of experience in biometric identity and digital infrastructure, Dr Olasiyan-Ola has held senior leadership roles in initiatives including Nigeria’s Bank Verification Number programme. He holds a PhD in Leadership, an MBA with Distinction from Keller Graduate School, and a BSc in Information Technology.

• Edwin Mutisya, Senior Sales Manager: Based in Kenya, Edwin brings extensive experience working with banks and telecom operators on secure identity solutions. He is well-versed in Africa’s regulatory environment and specialises in translating advanced technologies into cost-effective deployments.

• Matus Kapusta, Product Director: With more than 16 years in biometric innovation, Matus will lead Identy.io’s ABIS product portfolio, focusing on large-scale biometric solutions. Known for his technical expertise, he has delivered national-scale biometric implementations and will be instrumental in shaping Identy.io’s digital identity strategy.