Upper House Committee Hosts Community Engagement on Somali National ID Rollout with Full Participation of NIRA

Mogadishu, Somalia – September 2024: The Upper House Committee on Interior Affairs, Reconciliation, Federal Affairs and FMS Relations hosted a pivotal community engagement meeting on the Somali National Identification System, featuring full participation from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). Held at the Upper House of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, the event brought together key stakeholders from the Benadir Region, SSC-Khaatumo, and Federal Member States to discuss the progress and future expansion of the National ID system across Somalia.

The meeting began with welcoming remarks by Mr. Abdullahi Haji Geeddi, Deputy Permanent Secretary General of the Upper House, followed by Senator Deka Hassan Hussein, Chairperson of the Committee on Interior Affairs, Reconciliation, Federal Affairs, and FMS Relations. Senator Deka emphasized the significance of collaboration between federal, regional governments, and NIRA to ensure the successful rollout of the National Identification System across the country.

NIRA Director General, Mr. Abdiweli Ali Abdulle (Timacadde), delivered an in-depth presentation on the progress of NIRA in rebuilding Somalia’s identification infrastructure, detailing the historical context of past identification systems and the ongoing efforts to establish a unified, legal identification system for all Somali citizens. He emphasized the importance of legal identification for access to services, economic participation, and social inclusion, stating, “Over 85% of our population remains unregistered or unidentified.”

Mr. Timacadde further explained that only 15% of Somali citizens currently possess legal identification documents and outlined Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Somalia in building its identification infrastructure, particularly in areas such as border management, election processes, and vital registration systems for births and deaths.

Key Updates and National ID Expansion Plans

The Somali National ID system was officially launched in Mogadishu in September 2023, with five registration centers already operational in the Benadir Region. Mr. Timacadde shared that by the end of the year, the system will be expanded to all Federal Member States, ensuring nationwide coverage. The system assigns each citizen a Unique Identification Number (UID), which will remain valid for life and be used to access a wide range of services.

Additionally, Mr. Timacadde emphasized that legal frameworks are already in place, with laws and regulations governing the issuance, management, and verification of IDs.

Support from International Partners and Banks

Mr. Timacadde announced that 13 banks have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with NIRA, allowing them to integrate the National ID system into their services. He added that plans are underway to involve microfinance institutions, remittance services, and telecommunications companies, further embedding the National ID into the economic and social infrastructure of Somalia.

Ambitious Registration Targets and Public Participation

NIRA has set an ambitious target of registering 15 million Somali citizens by 2026. The authority currently has the capacity to register 5,000 people per day, but starting in October 2024, NIRA aims to register 20,000 people daily. The printing of ID cards is expected to begin before the end of 2024, ensuring that all registered citizens receive official identification documents.

Global Success Stories and Lessons Learned

Mr. Timacadde also provided global examples of successful ID systems, including Pakistan, which registered 100 million people in just three months, and Malawi, which enrolled 9 million citizens in one year. In Malawi, the introduction of a national ID system resulted in savings of $14 million in social protection programs through the elimination of duplicate registrations. He also highlighted India, where the Aadhaar program registered 1.4 billion people, leading to an increase in access to banking services from 20% to 80% of the population.

Extensive Q&A Session with the Public

The meeting featured hours of questions and answers, where concerns raised by community members from different segments of society were addressed directly by Director General Abdiweli Ali Cabdulle (Timacadde) and his team. Participants voiced questions about the logistics of the registration process, the inclusion of marginalized groups and people with special needs, and the security of personal data. Mr. Timacadde reassured the public that NIRA is fully prepared to address these concerns, emphasizing the robust legal and technical frameworks in place to protect citizens’ data and ensure the integrity of the system.

Next Steps and Public Awareness

Looking ahead, Mr. Timacadde reiterated the importance of ongoing public awareness campaigns to educate Somali citizens about the National ID system’s benefits and encourage their participation in the registration process.

“A government that does not identify its citizens is not truly a government,” Mr. Timacadde remarked, underscoring the essential role the National ID system will play in governance, social services, and economic development. With strong support from international partners and a clear roadmap, NIRA is confident that the Somali National Identification System will provide the foundation for effective governance and sustainable development in the country.