Monday April 7, 2025
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre attends a cabinet meeting in Mogadishu, Somalia. Barre has directed all government agencies to require the national ID card for access to public services, part of a broader effort to improve security and governance.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has ordered all government agencies to require the national identification card for citizens to access essential public services, marking a major shift to formalize identity and improve national security.
The directive was announced Monday during a high-level government meeting focused on the rollout of Somalia's national ID system and its integration with state services. Barre said the policy would help eliminate decades of identity gaps while curbing fraud and enhancing public safety, especially in Mogadishu's capital.
"For more than 34 years, Somali citizens have lived without formal identification," Barre said. "This initiative will change that and contribute significantly to stabilizing and securing the country."
Somalia's national identification effort, overseen by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), is part of a broader push to modernize public administration and rebuild trust in state institutions. In recent months, NIRA has begun issuing ID cards and opening service centers in several regions across the country.
The prime minister emphasized that all legal frameworks and data protection policies necessary to safeguard citizens' information are now in place. He pledged that the government is committed to registering citizens nationwide and ensuring equal access to formal identification.
Officials say the national ID system is foundational to Somalia's future. Beyond facilitating access to government services, it is expected to improve coordination across economic, security, and electoral institutions and position Somalia to align with international digital identity standards.
"This is not just about identification," Barre added. "The national ID is a platform for development—politically, economically, and in terms of governance."