Dear Sidra Chain Team,
We, the Nigerian Sidra Chain community, appreciate your commitment to regulatory compliance and user security through the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. However, we have significant concerns about the mandatory requirement for offline, in-person KYC verification and strongly urge you to consider implementing an online KYC option for users in Nigeria. Below are our key reasons:
1.Security Risks Associated with Travel: Nigeria faces ongoing security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and regional instability, particularly in certain areas like the northern regions. Requiring users to travel long distances—sometimes over 200 kilometers—to complete offline KYC poses serious risks to personal safety. For many, the potential dangers of such travel outweigh the benefits of participating in the platform.
2.
Inconvenience and Cost: Traveling for offline KYC is time-consuming and expensive, especially for users in rural or remote areas. The financial burden of transportation, accommodation, and potential lost income creates a significant barrier to participation, particularly for those who have been mining Sidra for years and are eager to access platform features. An online KYC process would make verification more accessible and equitable for all users.
3.
Technological Feasibility: With advancements in digital identity verification, online KYC is a widely adopted, secure, and efficient method globally. Platforms like KYCPort and Sumsub offer robust solutions, including facial biometrics, liveness checks, and document verification, which align with Nigeria’s KYC regulations and international standards set by bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Nigeria’s National Identification Number (NIN) database further supports seamless online verification, as 90 million Nigerians are already registered. Implementing online KYC would leverage these technologies to streamline the process while maintaining compliance.
User Experience and
4. Platform Adoption: The current offline KYC requirement has led to frustration among users, as evidenced by feedback on platforms like X, WhatsApp groups etc where community members have described the process as outdated and risky. Technical glitches with the in-app KYC process have also been reported, and allowing online KYC via a web-based platform (as you’ve suggested as a workaround) would address these issues more effectively. A smoother, more modern KYC process would enhance user satisfaction and encourage broader adoption of Sidra Chain in Nigeria.
5.
Privacy and Accessibility Concerns: Offline KYC may exclude marginalized populations who lack the means or mobility to travel. Online KYC, with proper safeguards, ensures greater inclusivity while addressing privacy concerns through encrypted data transmission and user-controlled document submission, as demonstrated by systems
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PROPOSED SOLUTION: We propose that Sidra Chain introduces an optional online KYC process alongside offline verification. This hybrid approach would allow users to choose the method that best suits their circumstances. For those willing to pay a small fee for online KYC, as suggested by some community members, this could offset implementation costs while ensuring convenience and safety.
We believe that adopting online KYC will demonstrate Sidra Chain’s commitment to user safety, inclusivity, and innovation, fostering greater trust and participation in Nigeria. We are open to further dialogue and willing to provide feedback to support a secure and efficient online KYC implementation.
Thank you for considering our concerns. We look forward to your response and a positive resolution.
Sincerely,
(AREWA SIDRANIANS)
On Behalf of the Nigerian Sidra Chain Community
