The digital ID app MIA of YOUNIQX Identity AG, a subsidiary of the Austrian State Printing House, won the “Africa Innovation Challenge“ organised by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. In the course of the Austrian Export Day 2019 on 25 June, innovative products, solutions and services suitable for use in Africa were selected by an international jury consisting of high-ranking African experts. The jury praised the digital identity solution MIA as “a legal foundation for a dignified life”. Only half of the population in sub-Saharan Africa possesses a legal identity. “This is highly problematic for the states’ administrative systems, and it hinders individuals seeking to gain access to education, to open a bank account or to found an enterprise. Mobile phones are becoming increasingly common in Africa, creating an ideal situation to use them to provide proof of identity. This produces a wealth of new opportunities for MIA”, says Austrian State Printing House and YOUNIQX CEO Lukas Praml. As the winner of the competition, the creators of MIA are invited to participate in the “South Africa Innovation Summit“, which will take place in Cape Town from 11 to 13 September 2019.

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Michael Otter, Leiter AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA

Jürgen Roth, Vizepräsident, WKO

Franz Brudl, YOUNIQX Identity AG

Christiane Holzinger, Präsidentin Junge Wirtschaft

Mariana Kühnel, Generalsekretärin Stv. der WKO