Welcome to the first edition of Trust in Transition. This monthly newsletter curated by WISER scholars is your gateway into finance, technology, and trust in Africa. Each month the Substack will feature the voices of WiSER as we unpack the current events and stories shaping our research.
In this inaugural post, we delve into the developments shaping our digital landscape. From the evolving facets of digital identity initiatives to the intricate nuances of emerging cryptocurrencies and the ground realities of Africa's artisanal mining sector—these pieces offer a nuanced view of our changing world.
Navigating Trust and Finance: Trust isn't just a social virtue; it's a fundamental pillar shaping economic transactions, financial systems, and societal structures. In this Substack, we'll navigate the intricate landscape of trust, exploring its evolution, manifestations, and role within Africa's changing economic terrain.
Unpacking Trust Infrastructures: From digital identification systems to historical systems of trust, we'll unpack trust infrastructures in their various forms. We'll delve into the digital transformation sweeping across African countries, examining the effects, challenges, and promises of these systems on trust and finance.
Economic Landscapes and Capital Flows: We'll peer into the economic landscapes, studying the ebb and flow of capital within African economies. This exploration will uncover the role of trust in shaping investment patterns, financial markets, and the broader economic fabric of the continent.
About the Trust Project:
WISER is pleased to announce a new, long-term research project into African Trust Infrastructures. With generous support from Standard Bank we will be hosting a new doctoral research program examining the development of digital population registration systems, and their effects on institutions.
In this edition Wiser Trust scholars and affiliates are reading the following:
"How much do artisanal miners earn?" Keith Breckenridge | Trust
"Ghana’s NCA disconnects a third of the country’s SIM cards" Caroline King | Trust
"Championing an inclusive digital identity approach in Africa – at scale" Eyenga GM | Research Fellow | Population Registers, Ethics, and Human Rights
"OpenAI’s Sam Altman nears $100mn funding for Worldcoin crypto project" Janaina Costa | Research Fellow | Population Registers, Ethics, and Human Rights
“Digital ID systems in Africa: Challenges, risks and opportunities” Raymond Onuoha| Postdoc Fellow | Trust
“Inside Zimbabwe’s Roadside Currency: The ‘World Bank’ of Bulawayo” Laura Phillips | Trust
“Nigeria solves national ID card problem with banks' partnership” Tunde Okunoye | DocFellow, Trust Project
"The Mobile Money Revolution" Fatima Moolla | Docfellow | DPI and Trust
This edition of Trust in Transition presents interconnected themes, converging on the crux of technological innovation, institutional trust, and societal implications.
In various narratives, a common theme emerges: the intricate interplay between technological progress and societal trust. From Ghana's SIM card disconnection to Nigeria's innovative national ID banking partnership, these stories underscore the pivotal role of trust in technological transitions. Whether through biometric identification's potential surveillance implications or mobile money's transformative financial inclusion, each contribution echoes the critical need to balance innovation with ethical considerations. Together, they paint a compelling picture of Africa's evolving trust dynamics in the face of rapid digital evolution, emphasizing the paramount importance of trust as the cornerstone of technological progress and societal stability.
Contributions:
Artisanal Miners' Earnings: The Gold Mine of Trust Indicators
Authored by Keith Breckenridge | Trust
The measure of mistrust: African artisanal gold mining and the geopolitics of the barbarous relic
In the shadows of Africa's mineral-rich landscapes, a compelling narrative of institutional trust unfolds. With over ten million individuals employed in this sector, recent research suggests an average daily income of $4.50 for miners. This stark reality of ten million people earning less than R100 a day sheds light on the disconcerting state of trust both locally and globally.
Ghana's SIM Card Disconnection: A Trust Wake-Up Call
Submitted by Caroline King | Trust
All unregistered SIM cards to be deleted from database today
The pulse of Ghana was jolted recently as the national communication authority waved its digital wand, directing the deletion of unregistered SIM cards. With queues snaking around National ID Authority headquarters and unusual lines at telecom stores, the initiative aims to strengthen the bond of trust between government and citizens. But as mobile money accessibility hangs in the balance, will this abrupt move sow the seeds of trust or trigger chaos?
Championing Inclusive Digital Identity in Africa: Tech Marvel or Orwellian Nightmare?
Submitted by Eyenga GM | Research Fellow
Championing an inclusive digital identity approach in Africa – at scale
An article delving into the optimistic advancements of biometric identification in Africa, particularly focusing on facial recognition as a solution for social and financial inclusion. It discusses the potential to replace traditional identity papers with direct body identification during transactions, emphasizing the ongoing evolution of identification technology and raising critical questions about its implications for millions. The discourse around inclusion subtly masks neoliberal concerns, potentially leading to increased control and surveillance, risking selective access to services based on such technologies.
Worldcoin's Funding and Iris-Scanning Technology: Cryptocurrency's Iris on Privacy
Submitted by Janaina Costa | Research Fellow
OpenAI’s Sam Altman nears $100mn funding for Worldcoin crypto project
The cryptocurrency realm's buzz is amplifying as Sam Altman, OpenAI's CEO, maneuvers closer to securing a hefty $100 million for Worldcoin. Yet, beneath the glitz lies the iris-scanning technology, raising eyebrows on privacy concerns. Will this global currency's iris-based identification liberate or shackle individuals in the digital sphere?
Navigating Africa's Digital Identity Maze: Progress, Challenges, and EU Implications
Submitted by Raymond Onuoha | Postdoc Fellow | Trust
Digital ID systems in Africa: Challenges, risks and opportunities
Though there has been progress in implementing digital ID systems across the African continent, universal coverage remains a challenge, affecting nearly 500 million in Sub-Saharan Africa. Musoni et al.'s paper assesses the state of digital ID in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Benin, and Namibia, highlighting opportunities and challenges for user-centric, sustainable system
Zimbabwe's Informal Currency Markets: Unraveling the 'World Bank' of Bulawayo
Submitted by Laura Phillips | Trust
Inside Zimbabwe's Roadside Currency Trade: The ‘World Bank’ of Bulawayo
This paper explores informal foreign currency markets in post-2000s Zimbabwe, emphasizing their role in the country's political economy. It highlights the development of alternative value exchange infrastructures due to distrust in the local currency. Various actors, including forex dealers, suppliers, buyers, police, and criminals, contribute to these networks. The study underscores the significance of social and political relations in shaping trust infrastructures, emphasizing the need to consider these aspects for a comprehensive understanding of money and value flows.
Nigeria solves national ID card problem with banks' partnership
Submitted by Tunde Okunoye | DocFellow, Trust Project
Nigeria to combine bank cards with national ID
Although the roll-out of Nigeria's ID initially involved the issuance of a national identity number (NIN), card, and an app, the issuance of cards was shelved after costs spiraled beyond budgetary allocation. Arising from a partnership between NIMC and the Central Bank of Nigeria, banks in Nigeria can now issue their standard Mastercard or Visa cards with an added national ID functionality. This innovative approach aims to address the persistent demand for national ID cards while safeguarding citizens’ privacy and confidentiality.
The Mobile Money Revolution: Where Technology Meets Financial Inclusion
Submitted by Fatima Moolla | Docfellow | DPI and Trust
Newly split Airtel Money pushes to tap Safaricom database for a lifeline
The rhythm of Africa's financial evolution crescendos as mobile money takes center stage. Africa's shifting financial landscape driven by mobile money, highlighting Mastercard's investment in MTN's fintech and Airtel Money Kenya's collaboration with Safaricom. These developments emphasize the region's drive for accessible financial solutions and telecom partnerships.
Trust in Transition, is a Substack exploring the intricate interplay between trust, finance, and societal evolution within the African context. This space serves as a lens into the fascinating dynamics of trust infrastructures, financial landscapes, and their transformative impact on Africa's economic pathways.
About WiSER: As a part of The Witwatersrand Institute for Social and Economic Research (WiSER), our mission is to spotlight African scholarship, dissecting the nuances of societal transitions, financial evolution, and trust frameworks. Established in 2001, WiSER has been at the forefront of interdisciplinary research, delving deep into the humanities and social sciences in South Africa.
Join the Conversation: "Trust in Transition" isn't just a platform for information—it's a dialogue. Engage, discuss, and explore with us as we navigate the multifaceted world of trust, finance, and societal evolution in Africa.
Upcoming Events: Stay tuned for engaging events and conversations around African Trust Infrastructures and immerse yourself in workshops, seminars, and conferences that promise to illuminate, challenge, and shape our collective understanding.
Congratulations on the launch of this page on the Trust program, which allows us to follow news related to the issue on the continent and beyond.