Somalia has officially launched its national identification system with the crucial support of NADRA Pakistan, marking a significant milestone for the ID4Africa movement. The goal of this movement is to provide every African citizen with a digital identity by the year 2030.
The inaugural ceremony of the Somalia National ID system was presided over by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre during the first National ID conference organized by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) Somalia in Mogadishu. This momentous event was attended by esteemed development partners, including Pakistan, the European Union (EU), the World Bank Group, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA), Gulf countries, ID4Africa, diplomats, and UN agencies.
In his address, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre expressed profound gratitude to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and NADRA for their unwavering support in implementing the Somali National ID system. He also acknowledged their vital role in building the capacity of NIRA Somalia.
The establishment of the Somalia National ID System is part of a substantial grant provided by the Government of Pakistan to Somalia. This system will empower NIRA and the Ministry of Interior Somalia to fulfil their mandate of enhancing governance, security, and socio-economic development by equipping Somali citizens with a secure and universally recognized form of identification.
Chairman of NADRA, Asad Rehman Gilani, expressed immense pride in the successful execution and launch of Somalia’s National Identification System. He emphasized the significance of collaboration and innovation, reinforcing Pakistan’s vision for a more secure and prosperous Somalia. NADRA has played a pivotal role in sharing secure identity and passport solutions through technology transfer with several African governments, including Kenya, Sudan, and Nigeria, which boasts the largest ID database of over 100 million identities in Africa.
The state-of-the-art biometric identification system of Somalia’s National ID System will serve a multitude of purposes, including identity verification for banking and financial services, voting, and accessing government services. It is anticipated that this system will have a profound and positive impact on Somalia’s economy and security.
The launch of Somalia’s National ID System not only represents a significant achievement for Somalia and Pakistan but also serves as a shining example of the remarkable power of collaboration and innovation within the international community.
