Choosing Identity and Payment Systems That Can Adapt

Over more than twenty years working in biometric identity and payment systems, one insight has consistently proven true – ‘the solution you choose today needs to work for the needs you don’t yet know you’ll have tomorrow’. This perspective matters especially in humanitarian contexts, where early requirements rapidly evolve into broader use cases and where technology must adapt whilst remaining effective, efficient and puts people first.

When identity becomes more than identity

In Jordan, for example, initially the system we built with our clients was to register refugees arriving from Syria in 2013. A critical humanitarian need with real urgency. As time went on, the same system became the foundation for recurring cash assistance supporting over 40,000 households, processing US$ 1.3 billion per annum, as well as food support programmes to this day, and is now ready to support those who return to Syria.

The reason? Because instead of standing alone, the identity layer became a payment trigger, enabling refugees to access assistance across 120 locations without carrying physical cards or documentation. This adaptability was not planned at the outset, yet it became essential as our clients expanded the system’s purpose.

Why adaptable systems matter

Across the humanitarian and social support landscapes, future requirements are rarely predictable. Programmes frequently evolve from:

• emergency need for registration
• ongoing cash assistance support
• broader identity-linked services often longer-term

Yet many organisations select systems based on today’s single use case. In doing so, they risk locking themselves into rigid workflows that can’t scale or change very easily. The systems that succeed long term, rather than in just small-scale pilots, are those designed with flexibility and integration in mind.

Biometrics: adoption, inclusion, and accountability

Biometric technologies like iris recognition are increasingly used worldwide because they offer high-assurance verification that paper IDs simply cannot match. For example, iris biometrics have been a core part of identity programmes used to authenticate refugees’, citizens’ and migrants’ identities for subsequent payments of social welfare support, humanitarian assistance, pensions and wages.

At the same time, biometric systems underpin financial inclusion efforts globally. According to the World Bank’s Global Findex data, roughly 1.3 billion adults remain unbanked, without a bank account either through a bank or a mobile provider. Digital and biometric identity systems are key enablers for people to access financial services even without traditional bank accounts.

Strong identity verification also enhances accountability in cash assistance programmes as they:

• reduce fraudulent or duplicate registrations
• make it difficult for individuals to impersonate beneficiaries
• ensure that support reaches the intended people = directly stretching funds further

Some donor reports suggest that over 97 cents of every dollar goes directly to refugees after financial transaction fees, a reminder that audit trail, transparency and accountability are crucial in humanitarian operations.

Choosing a platform, not just a product

Selecting a biometric identity or identity-linked payment system isn’t just about the technology. Approximately 2.2 billion people remain offline, with low-income countries in particular having only 27% of population online. It is therefore a strategic decision which should consider:

• Can it operate reliably offline or in poor connectivity areas?
• Does the technology partner understand field deployment realities and needs? 
• Can the system support future use cases without needing to re-enrol people?
• Does it integrate with financial systems or databases already in place?

Too often, in the field, infrastructure is inconsistent and users vary widely in how technically savvy they are, so partnering with teams that are experienced in both, technology and on-the-ground deployment, can make all the difference.

A final thought

For the most vulnerable populations, unlike in the developed world, identity is not about convenience. It is a gateway to essential services. But inclusion is not automatic. Poorly designed systems risk excluding the very populations they aim to serve and that’s why future-proofing system choice is essential. The best systems are those that work today and continue to adapt tomorrow.

If you are exploring biometric or payment systems or are unsure how to choose the right platform and the best provider, we are here to offer a no-obligation discussion to help shape your thinking around requirements, risks, and options.

Imad Malhas, Founder & MD.