Somalia’s National ID Conference Signals Next Stage of Digital Transformation

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s push toward a unified, secure and inclusive digital identity gathered fresh momentum as government leaders, development partners and technology stakeholders mapped the next phase of the national ID rollout at the 2nd Somali National ID Conference, held Nov. 24-25 in the capital.

Convened by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, the conference underscored how the country’s digital ID program has moved from design to delivery. Organizers and participants pointed to a milestone of more than one million citizens now registered, a sign that the legal and governance groundwork laid over recent years is translating into scale.

Somalia’s digital ID is increasingly being embedded across public and private services. Delegates highlighted early integrations in financial services, education, commerce, immigration and public financial management. Banks and fintechs have begun using the ID to strengthen electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) compliance, while ministries aim to use verified identity to curb fraud, improve transparency and target benefits and services more precisely.

Linking the National ID to social protection systems emerged as a central priority. Participants called for harmonization across the Unified Social Registry, humanitarian beneficiary databases and government safety-net programs to reduce duplication and ensure assistance reaches intended communities more efficiently. With a standardized, privacy-aware identity layer, aid delivery can better track eligibility, minimize leakages and shorten the time it takes for vulnerable households to receive support.

Inclusivity ran through nearly every session. The conference emphasized accelerating registration nationwide—especially among internally displaced people, nomadic communities, women, youth, persons with disabilities and other underserved groups—so that “no one is left behind” in Somalia’s digital transformation. Participants stressed that reaching mobile and hard-to-access populations is essential for the legitimacy and utility of the system.

Trust and safeguards were treated as non-negotiable. Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity featured prominently, with calls to keep aligning Somalia’s regulatory environment with international standards. That alignment, participants said, is critical for protecting individual rights, building public confidence and enabling responsible data sharing across government and with service providers.

A digital exhibition on the sidelines showcased Somali talent driving the ID ecosystem forward. Tech companies, financial institutions, universities and digital service providers displayed authentication tools, enrollment interfaces and sector-specific applications, underscoring the program’s potential to catalyze a broader digital economy.

To keep momentum coordinated, attendees agreed to form a technical working group that brings together NIRA, relevant government agencies and development partners. The group’s mandate is to streamline system integration and avoid overlapping registration schemes, a recurring challenge in countries where multiple identity programs have historically run in parallel.

Somalia’s partners were credited as key enablers of the progress to date. The conference extended appreciation to the World Bank for sustained support; Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for technological assistance; and to UNDP, IOM and other agencies for their contributions across policy, implementation and capacity building.

What is taking shape is not merely a card or credential but a core piece of national infrastructure designed to underpin service delivery, commerce and public administration. As more services integrate the National ID, the value of a single, verifiable identity rises—for citizens who need access, for institutions that must manage risk and for a government seeking fiscal discipline and equitable reach.

At the same time, the conference’s focus on privacy and cybersecurity reflects a wider recognition: identity systems can only succeed if people trust them. That means clear legal bases for processing data, strong oversight, secure technology choices, and transparent practices for consent, data use and redress. Somalia’s commitment to align with international norms aims to anchor that trust while enabling cross-border interoperability over time.

Key takeaways from the conference include:

• Scale: Registration has surpassed one million citizens, with plans to accelerate nationwide enrollment.
• Integration: Digital ID is being adopted in finance, education, commerce, immigration and public financial management to strengthen e-KYC and service delivery.
• Social protection: Linking National ID with the Unified Social Registry, humanitarian databases and safety nets is a priority to reduce duplication and improve accountability.
• Inclusion: Special focus on registering internally displaced people, nomadic communities, women, youth and persons with disabilities to ensure equitable access.
• Safeguards: Ongoing work to align data protection, privacy and cybersecurity frameworks with international standards.
• Coordination: A new technical working group will help unify systems and prevent overlapping registration schemes.
• Ecosystem: Local companies, universities and service providers are increasingly central to building and sustaining the ID platform.

Next steps will hinge on disciplined execution: expanding enrollment capacity across regions; deepening integrations with high-impact services; operationalizing the social protection linkages; and continuing to refine the legal and governance frameworks that protect rights and enable progress. Communication will also matter—citizens need clear information on how their data is used, how it’s protected and how the ID benefits everyday interactions with schools, banks, employers and government offices.

By design, a national digital ID is both infrastructure and a social contract. The conference in Mogadishu signaled a consensus that Somalia’s system should be inclusive, interoperable and rights-respecting, with local innovation at its core. With partners aligned and a technical pathway now outlined, the challenge turns to sustained delivery—building, one verified identity at a time, a platform that can support services and opportunity at national scale.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.