The president of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has reaffirmed his position that establishing the national ID initiative as essential for the modernization and stability of Somalia.

Speaking during the second 2nd Somali National Identity Conference in Mogadishu President Mohamud noted the importance of the exercise in forging a developed Somalia

“It’s a cornerstone for the statehood, national security, and the development of technology-driven public services,” President Mohamud noted.

The president further emphasized that the ID system will channel a path for institutional reforms and strengthen institutional efficiency and accountability.
He urged all citizens to obtain their identification cards.

The 2nd Somali National Identity Conference was opened on Monday by the Prime Minister, H.E. Hamza Abdi Barre, where federal officials, other representatives, and international partners were taken through the progress made by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).

NIRA Director General Abdiwali Timacadde revealed that they had registered over 1 million Somali citizens and they are on course to register 15 million citizens by 2026.
“We are prepared to register 15 million Somalis by 2026, have actually prepared all the necessary strategies to achieve the target, and establish offices in each district,” said Timacadde during the launch.

The first biometric identification and registration exercise was launched in 2023, registering President Mohamud and Prime Minister Barre as first citizens. district,”
The Somalia national citizen’s registry ceased to operate in the early 90s following the breakout of the civil war, which was a major hindrance for entities and organizations conducting business in Somalia.