Exploring the Interface Between Birth Registration and Citizenship Determination: A Scoping Study in Seven Countries in Southern Africa Acknowledgment This report was drafted by Anette Bayer Forsingdal and Lynn Sferrazza. The report is a joint initiative between Vital Strategies and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This report was supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of its Data for Health Initiative. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UNHCR, the United Nations, or its Member States or the Bloomberg Philanthropies. We would like to extend special and sincere thanks to governments that have engaged in open and honest discussions on practices, enabling a better understanding of the linkages between birth registration and citizenship determination, and the practical and operational challenges of separating these legal concepts. We would like to thank all the people who have contributed to the development of this paper. Specifically, from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Namibia: Tulimeke Munyika; from the National Registration Bureau, Malawi: Rhoderic Langwe; from the Commissioner for Refugees, Kingdom of Eswatini: Zanele Mlambo; from the Regional Registrar, Kingdom of Eswatini: Andile Dlamini; from the Commissioner for Refugees, Kingdom of Lesotho: Nthatisi Thabane; from the Ministry of Labour & Home Affairs, Republic of Botswana: Dimpho Mathumo; from the Department of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, Republic of Congo: Frederic Odzalafrom; from UNHCR: Monika Sandvik, Benedicte Voos, Anne Laakko, Emmanuelle Mitte, Mariya Voloshkevich, Shriyan Sahadew Ramjeewan, Sarah Nayeja, Bienvenu-Lilian Ngombe and Madoda Leslie Nasha; from DLA Piper: Olivia Clark and Lara Elborno; from Vital Strategies: James Mwanza and Martin W. Bratschi; from UNFPA: Romesh Silva; from UNESCAP: Tanja B. Sejersen; from UNDP: Mazen Gharzeddine and Debashis Nag; and from UNICEF: Bhaskar Mishra. 4