MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has begun enforcing a new rule that requires passengers to present a national identity card for all domestic flights, a move officials say will tighten security and modernize how the country oversees internal air travel.
The Somali Immigration and Citizenship Authority said the measure took effect March 1 following a two-month postponement intended to give citizens more time to register for the national ID. The policy was originally slated for Jan. 1, 2026. Mustafa Sheikh Ahmed Dhuxulow, the authority’s director, oversaw the rollout.
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Authorities described the requirement as a key step in strengthening passenger identity verification and improving coordination between aviation administrators and security agencies as Somalia rebuilds state systems weakened by decades of conflict.
- Effective immediately: A valid Somali national identity card is required for all domestic air travel.
- Issuing body: Cards are provided by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
- Implementation timeline: Originally planned for Jan. 1; enforcement began March 1 after a grace period.
- Coverage to date: Nearly 1 million Somalis have received national ID cards, according to NIRA.
The mandate anchors a broader institutional reform effort focused on civil registration and identity management. Officials say the national ID program is designed to create a centralized, verifiable database of citizens that can be used to authenticate identities across public services and security functions.
By standardizing identity checks at airports, the government aims to close gaps in passenger screening, reduce reliance on inconsistent documentation and bring domestic travel practices closer to regional and international norms. Authorities also frame the move as a foundation for better governance and service delivery, enabling agencies to reliably link individuals to records in areas ranging from social services to law enforcement.
Somalia’s civil registry has long been fragmented, a legacy of conflict and institutional erosion. The national ID initiative, and its application to domestic air travel, is among the most visible signs of a push to reestablish baseline administrative functions, digitize records and align transport procedures with security priorities.
Officials have not announced exemptions to the new rule. Travelers without a national ID are being urged to complete registration with NIRA to avoid disruptions. The government maintains that the policy’s phased introduction — including the two-month delay — was designed to minimize hardship while ensuring airports can implement consistent checks.
While the domestic flight requirement is the latest application of the national ID, authorities indicate the system will underpin additional reforms as digital identity infrastructure matures. For now, the airport rollout provides an immediate test of Somalia’s capacity to verify identities at scale and synchronize data between civil registries, immigration, and aviation oversight.
The introduction of mandatory identification for domestic air travel marks a practical, high-impact step in Somalia’s ongoing effort to restore administrative order, strengthen security, and standardize mobility inside the country.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
Tuesday March 3, 2026
