South Africa’s approach toidentification offers valuable lessons for countries lookingto increase the coverage, robustness, and use of their IDsystems. Since the end of apartheid, South Africa’s nationalidentification system has been transformed from a tool ofoppression to one for inclusion and the delivery of socialservices. The ID system is now closely integrated with civilregistration, boasts high coverage among all segments of thepopulation, and has been instrumental for effective servicedelivery and a cost effective electoral process.