Key points
- Pakistan’s NADRA is working with NIRA Somalia to introduce cutting-edge biometric verification services
- In 2023, Somalia officially launched its national identification system
MOGADISHU, Somalia: A high-level delegation from Pakistan’s National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) led by its chief project officer (CPO) visited Somalia to engage with key stakeholders in the country’s national identity ecosystem.
According to a press release issued by NADRA, Pakistan is supporting Somalia in the successful implementation of the Somali National Identification System (SNIDS), which is being developed with financial and technical assistance from the Government of Pakistan.
As part of this commitment, NADRA delivered critical capacity-building equipment, including state-of-the-art ID card personalisation machines, secure ID cards, and advanced data centre infrastructure.
Delegation’s discussions
The delegation held productive discussions with the leadership of the National Identification & Registration Authority (NIRA) Somalia, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs & Reconciliation (MOIFAR), Director General MOIFAR, Director General NIRA, Chairman Election Commission (NIEBC) Somalia, Director General Somali National Bureau of Statistics along with other senior officials from the Government of Somalia.
In addition to delivering essential equipment, NADRA is working closely with NIRA Somalia to introduce cutting-edge biometric verification services, an online enrolment portal, and self-enrolment applications.
These initiatives aim to accelerate the SNIDS enrolment drive while enhancing secure Know Your Customer (KYC) services for both public and private sector entities in Somalia.
World-class identity solutions
The Government of Pakistan and NADRA remain committed to supporting the Government of Somalia’s efforts for providing world-class identity solutions. This collaboration underscores the strong relations ties between Pakistan and Somalia.
In 2023, Somalia officially launched its national identification system with support from NADRA, marking a significant achievement for the ‘ID4Africa’ initiative, which aims to provide digital identities to all Africans by 2030, according to Dawn.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre inaugurated the system at a conference hosted by NIRA Somalia in Mogadishu in 2023. The Somali prime minister expressed his gratitude to then Pakistan Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and NADRA for their crucial role in launching the Somali National ID system and for their support in building the capacity of NIRA Somalia.
