Tuesday August 20, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia is taking a major step toward modern governance with its digital identification system, a move that could transform access to services and bolster national security. High-level discussions in Mogadishu this week focused on establishing a strong legal and technological foundation to ensure the system's success.
High-level discussions in Mogadishu this week, led by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), focused on establishing a legal and technological framework to ensure the system's success. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) provided insights based on global best practices in digital identity management.
NIRA Director Abdiweli Timacadde emphasized the initiative's significance, stating, "We are laying the groundwork for a secure, efficient, and inclusive national identification system that will empower the Somali people and enhance our country's governance."
The digital ID system, launched last September, is Somalia's first in over three decades. The government aims to issue up to 15 million biometric IDs by the next election in 2026, a crucial step in ensuring every citizen has access to essential services and opportunities.
The push for a digital ID system in Somalia aligns with global trends that recognize the critical role of identification in driving development. According to the World Bank, over 1 billion people worldwide lack any form of legal identification, with the majority residing in developing countries. This gap hinders access to essential services, financial inclusion, and effective governance.
Research indicates that the introduction of a robust digital ID system could bring significant economic benefits to countries. For those that fully implement such systems, a 13% increase in GDP by 2030 is within reach. For Somalia, where economic growth and social stability are paramount, this is a promising prospect.
Digital IDs are expected to enhance service delivery, improve social protection programs, and reduce fraud and corruption by ensuring that government resources reach their intended beneficiaries. In India, for example, the Aadhaar system has saved the government billions of dollars by eliminating duplicate and fraudulent beneficiaries in social welfare programs. Similar benefits are anticipated in Somalia, where the digital ID system is also expected to streamline financial transactions and support fair elections.
Somali officials were assisted in the digital ID program by Pakistan, whose National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). The collaboration was formalized in May 2018 with a $10.5 million agreement to develop Somalia's National Identification System, witnessed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
NADRA, which manages one of the world's largest biometric databases, has played a crucial role in border management, elections, and social welfare programs. The agreement between Somalia and Pakistan includes financial support and a comprehensive transfer of knowledge and technology, which will be instrumental in successfully implementing Somalia's digital ID system.