Many countries are beginning to implement robust digital identity systems, and the transformative power of mobile technology, as well as its near ubiquity has been recognised as an important enabler in the identification process. In contrast to improvements in connectivity, the World Bank estimates that there are currently one billion people worldwide who lack the means to prove their identity, a problem that is particularly acute across Africa and South Asia. This problem disproportionally affects those groups of society that are most vulnerable, such as women, children and refugees, resulting in them being at higher risk of being excluded from systems meant to protect them, as well as limiting their access to basic services such as healthcare, education, employment, financial services and voting. In this case study, we explore two emerging and innovative solutions that are using mobile technology to establish functional and foundational identities.