Sunday April 20, 2025

Officials from Somalia’s National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Boondheere District administration cut the ribbon during the opening ceremony of a new NIRA service center in Mogadishu’s Boondheere District on April 19, 2025. CREDIT: NIRA

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has opened a new service center in Mogadishu’s Boondheere District, advancing a national campaign to expand civil registration and improve access to government services.

The center, launched Saturday by NIRA Deputy Director-General Abdirahman Said and District Commissioner Abdullahi Hasan, will issue national ID cards, birth certificates, and related documents to residents of Boondheere and surrounding areas. Authorities say the move will reduce delays, improve public service delivery, and strengthen the government’s digital identity infrastructure.

“This facility brings critical services closer to the people,” said Abdirahman Said. “We are committed to ensuring all Somali citizens—regardless of where they live—can access identification services efficiently and equitably.”

The new center supports NIRA’s mission under the 2023 Identification and Registration Act, which mandates the issuance of unique National Identification Numbers (NINs) to citizens and legal residents. The national ID system forms the foundation for modernizing Somalia’s governance, enhancing transparency, and streamlining service delivery.

The Boondheere center’s launch also supports Somalia’s preparation for its first one-person, one-vote elections since 1967. NIRA is working closely with the National Independent Electoral Commission to ensure the ID system is integrated into the voter registration process, with elections scheduled for 2026. The federal government views the rollout of national IDs as essential to enabling inclusive, transparent, and secure democratic participation.

District Commissioner Abdullahi Hasan said the center would simplify procedures for citizens seeking education, healthcare, and financial services. “It reduces bureaucratic hurdles and improves our ability to serve the public,” he said.

The national ID system also has broader security implications. Somali authorities view improved identity verification as a tool to counter al-Shabab infiltration and organized crime. The Somali Police Force, with support from the FBI, uses a biometric identification system to track criminal suspects. Integrating civil ID services into this infrastructure is expected to bolster law enforcement efforts.

NIRA has also partnered with the Somali Banks Association to allow customers to use their national IDs when accessing banking services. This step is part of a wider strategy to increase financial inclusion and reduce fraud in one of the world’s most cash-dependent economies.

However, the national ID rollout has not been without challenges. Some regional states, including Puntland, have raised concerns over federal overreach and data sovereignty, launching their own civilian registration systems. Others have voiced fears over data privacy, questioning where personal information is stored and how it is safeguarded.

Residents of Boondheere can now visit the newly inaugurated facility to register for or update identification records, with staff available to guide applicants through the process.