One Million Citizens Registered Under Somalia's New ID Programme

By Asha Elmi - Reporter

Somalia, 24 November 2025 — Somalia’s National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has registered more than one million citizens under its national ID programme, which is being issued free of charge, its director said.

Speaking at the Second National Identification Conference in Mogadishu today, NIRA Director General Abdiwali Ali Abdulle said the initiative is aimed at making legal identity accessible to all Somalis and improving access to public and private services.

“We have now registered more than one million people. The national ID is being issued free of charge, with no payment required, because we wanted to make it easier for Somali citizens who cannot afford such costs,” Abdulle said.

He said Somalia’s national ID system now operates through three formats: a physical ID card currently being issued, a digital ID scheduled to launch in 2026, and a temporary certificate that allows citizens to quickly access services while awaiting their permanent card.

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Abdulle said the ID system is already integrated with more than 24 public and private institutions, enabling streamlined verification and reducing paperwork for services such as banking, travel documentation and government transactions.

He added that tens of thousands of online verifications have already been processed, signalling growing institutional adoption.

The programme, he said, is a key pillar in Somalia’s transition toward digital governance, improved service delivery and strengthened national data systems, particularly as the government seeks to standardise identity management across sectors.

NIRA officials said the rollout will continue nationwide, with further integration planned across additional government agencies and financial institutions to support secure and efficient access to essential services.

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