Kenya’s Social Protection System Integrates with National ID for Real-Time Targeting

Kenya’s social protection programs are now fully integrated with Huduma Namba, enabling real-time targeting of the poor and vulnerable using poverty maps and biometric verification. The State Department for Social Protection reports that ghost beneficiaries have been eliminated, and disbursement accuracy has reached 99.5%. Over Ksh50 billion was paid to 8 million households in 2023 through the Digital Payment System. The platform uses AI to cross-check data from health, education, and agriculture to identify those in need. The World Bank calls it Africa’s most advanced social registry, and plans to replicate it in 10 countries.