Mogadishu (AX) — In a world increasingly defined by digital identity, Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency finds itself at a crossroads. As of now, the nation has yet to fully implement its newly introduced national identity card as a requirement for passport applications. Why, you might wonder? The answer lies within a maze of technical and institutional coordination challenges that still need to be resolved.
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Although Somalia proudly launched its digital national ID system in 2022 under the auspices of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), citizens still need to present traditional documents to obtain passports. These documents include birth certificates, citizenship records, and clearance letters from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The Director General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency, Mustafe Dhuxulow, articulated the primary reason for this delay: a lack of a cohesive data-sharing framework among identity-issuing agencies. He stated, “There is currently no formal integration between our systems and NIRA. Before we can rely solely on the national ID, we must reconcile legacy data with new records and build a secure, interoperable system to prevent duplication and ensure accuracy.” This raises an interesting question: How can a nation move forward in a digital age without the necessary technological integration?
Dhuxulow emphasized that efforts are ongoing to link NIRA’s database with the Immigration Agency. Once connected, passports could be issued directly using the national ID card. However, an official timeline for this pivotal integration has yet to be established. Without a clear timeline, uncertainty looms—both for citizens eagerly awaiting streamlined processes and for officials navigating through this technological landscape.
Founded under federal law in 2023, NIRA holds the responsibility of overseeing Somalia’s civil registration and identity systems. Despite innovative platforms like e-Aqoonsi and Hubiye for biometric registration, the journey has been far from smooth. Progress has been significantly slowed by infrastructure challenges, especially in regions where access to digital services is sparse. According to reports from NIRA, by June 2025, only a fraction of Somalia’s population had been enrolled in this new system.
In light of these developments, the federal government has begun to link access to essential public services with the possession of the national ID card. In a landmark announcement made in June 2025, the Ministry of Transport stated that IDs would be mandatory for obtaining driver’s licenses and registering vehicles. This move is expected to set a precedent for other services, including education, healthcare, legal documentation, and both domestic and international travel.
The Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation elaborated that these steps are part of a broader initiative to digitize public administration, enhance service delivery, and bolster national security. By ensuring that every Somali is accurately identified and documented, the government aims to foster a sense of belonging within its citizenry. One can’t help but reflect on the importance of identity in fostering social cohesion and trust among a population.
In the midst of this progress, however, some federal member states—most notably Northeastern State—have expressed resistance to the federal rollout, alleging that Mogadishu is attempting to centralize power through identity infrastructure. Public statements from Northeastern State officials have argued that NIRA is bypassing regional institutions, thereby undermining the principle of federalism. This political friction invites us to consider: How can a nation strike a balance between unity and regional autonomy?
Despite the contentious backdrop, the federal government maintains that the ID program is a fundamentally non-political initiative. In a statement made in January 2025, NIRA Director General Abdiwali Abdulle firmly denied any association between the ID system and the upcoming elections, emphasizing that its objective is merely to ensure equitable access to government services for all citizens. Yet, as Somalia gears up for the 2026 elections, the national identity system is poised to play a critical role in voter registration and electoral transparency. Will it enhance the democratic process or complicate it further?
In conclusion, Somalia stands on the precipice of a significant transformation. The integration of a national identity system has the potential to reshape governance, enhance service delivery, and foster a sense of belonging among its citizens. However, as we have seen, challenges abound. The path forward may be fraught with obstacles, but with perseverance and a commitment to collaboration, a brighter, more efficient future may well be within reach.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
