Government Expands National ID Rollout As Leaders Outline Digital Reform Plans

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somalia’s federal government has outlined progress in expanding national identification services and accelerating public sector digital reforms, with senior officials detailing new milestones at a forum in Mogadishu focused on modernising state institutions.

Addressing participants at the event, National Identification and Registration Agency (NIRA) Director Abdiweli Tima’ade said the agency has fully enabled 60 local districts and 30 Somali embassies abroad to issue the national identification card.

The expansion is part of a broader government effort to establish a unified and secure civil registration system. By extending ID services to districts nationwide and diplomatic missions overseas, authorities aim to increase accessibility for citizens, including members of the Somali diaspora.

Officials say the national ID card is central to improving public service delivery, strengthening security verification processes and supporting financial inclusion by providing citizens with a recognised form of identification.

Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama used the forum to outline the administration’s next phase of digital reform, emphasizing plans to consolidate government documentation services.

“In the coming year, we want every Somali citizen who needs a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or any government service to obtain it in one place,” he said.

The proposal signals a move toward an integrated service model intended to reduce bureaucratic delays, improve efficiency and enhance transparency in public administration.

The government has identified digital transformation as a key pillar of institutional reform, arguing that modernised identification and civil registration systems are essential for effective governance, revenue management and the delivery of social services.

Participants at the forum noted that wider access to official documentation could also facilitate access to banking, education, healthcare and employment opportunities.

While infrastructure and capacity constraints remain, the expansion of NIRA’s operations and the push for centralized service access reflect the administration’s stated commitment to strengthening state systems through digital reform.