KUALA LUMPUR, 24 September 2025 – NexG Bhd, formerly Datasonic Group, is stepping up its transformation into a global secure identity solutions provider, pledging to expand across ASEAN and Africa under a RM250 million two-phase plan. The move is anchored on Malaysia’s national secure ID mandates and rising demand for identity systems in frontier markets.
At a media event in Cyberjaya, NexG’s Executive Chairman and CEO, Datuk Abu Hanifah Noordin, explained that the plan is not just about boosting local capacity—phase one upgrades will double Malaysia’s annual passport production and further secure MyKad and other identity documents. Phase two will see a purpose-built advanced facility engineered for international scale.
Already holding a government contract worth RM1.73 billion for passport solutions, NexG aims to pivot from purely secure printing toward digital identity platforms and systems integration.
What the Two Phases Entail
In the first phase, NexG is integrating advanced printing and personalization equipment to enhance throughput, security features, and process automation. These include laser and precision color printers from Italian firm IXLA SRL, and Komori Lithrone SX29 high-security offset presses to boost automation, inline inspection, and eco-efficient printing.
When fully complete, phase two will bring an entirely new facility equipped with top-tier secure printing, automation, and digital systems. The goal is to boost capacity to three times that of phase one, giving Malaysia—and NexG—room to serve international clients with scale.
NexG’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jorrine Ang Pei Gaik, said the RM85 million investment in secure ID technologies is expected to double revenue and could boost long-term digital ID segments by as much as 80% over 2025 levels.
Why This Strategy Matters
NexG’s move comes at a unique moment. Identity systems—passports, national ID cards, digital identity platforms—are increasingly considered critical digital infrastructure, especially in regions where identity coverage remains low or fragmented. The growth of e-government, fintech, border security, and digital public services all hinge on trusted identity frameworks.
By scaling capability and expanding into ASEAN and Africa, NexG aims to position Malaysia as a technology exporter in a domain that has been traditionally dominated by foreign firms. For NexG, shift into digital identity platforms and global footprint is not merely horizontal expansion—it’s an evolution of its business model.
Risks and Strategic Challenges
However, the ambitions are bold and not without risks. Execution matters: advanced facility construction, regulatory approvals, supply chain for advanced printing equipment, and integrating hardware with digital identity software all pose significant challenges.
In Africa especially, political risk, regulatory fragmentation, and procurement cycles can slow growth. NexG will need strong local partnerships and understanding of national ID programs. Also, while the secure printing contracts in Malaysia provide a base, shifting toward software has longer gestation, and margins may differ.
Analysts will watch how quickly the new phases deliver capacity, whether NexG can clinch new government or regional contracts, and how the market values its transition from a printing-centric company to a digital identity platform player.
Regional Context & Competitive Landscape
NexG is not alone. Across Asia and beyond, firms are increasingly competing in sovereign identity infrastructure, biometrics, and digital ID systems. Governments want more control, higher security, and local data sovereignty—creating opportunity for players that can offer integrated, compliant solutions.
For Malaysia, NexG’s push may encourage capacity building in secure tech, signal confidence in the country’s ability to export high-trust services, and potentially spur more domestic players to enter the digital ID space.
