Over one billion people around the world, including more than 230 million women and girls in the Commonwealth, lack official proof of identity. Recognising that mobile technology and mobile network operators (MNOs) are well-positioned to tackle this issue, we explored the identity landscape in Malawi, Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Zambia – four countries at distinct stages on their journey towards achieving full national identity coverage; and with contrasting rates of mobile ownership and usage amongst men and women.