Somalia, China Step up Cooperation on National ID Rollout

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has agreed with China to deepen technical cooperation aimed at accelerating the rollout of a nationwide digital ID system.

NIRA Director Abdiweli Ali Abdulle met Chinese Ambassador Wang Yu in Mogadishu to review progress on the biometric registration programme and explore avenues for technological support.

The talks focused on strengthening the operational capacity of National Identification and Registration Authority as it builds a secure, digitised national registry intended to enhance security, improve public service delivery and expand citizens’ access to formal financial systems.

Officials said the two sides agreed to establish direct cooperation channels between NIRA and relevant Chinese state institutions, with an emphasis on digital infrastructure, large-scale data management and skills transfer.

Somalia’s federal government views the national ID system as a cornerstone of broader governance reforms, aimed at modernising civic administration and aligning the country’s registry framework with international standards.