Mogadishu (WDN)— Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has issued a directive mandating all government and non-governmental agencies providing essential services to link service delivery to the national identity system.

The Prime Minister chaired a high-level meeting in Mogadishu today, focused on the nationwide implementation of the digital national ID, where he formally unveiled the new policy aimed at integrating public services with citizen identification.

“This marks the end of over three decades of identity ambiguity for Somali citizens,” Prime Minister Hamza stated, describing the initiative as a cornerstone for national security and sustainable development. “Establishing a functional identity system is the foundation for effective governance in security, economy, and politics.”

The decision is expected to play a critical role in stabilizing Mogadishu and other urban centers where anonymity has posed significant security risks. Officials say the use of a unified national identity will enhance public trust, improve service delivery, and help combat fraud, terrorism, and resource misallocation.

Prime Minister Hamza emphasized that necessary safeguards to protect citizens’ data are already in place, and the government is committed to registering all eligible Somalis.

“All federal and service-delivery institutions must now integrate national ID requirements into their operations,” he instructed, adding that agencies must coordinate with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), which has ramped up its efforts in issuing the digital ID cards.

The digital identity rollout is also seen as a strategic step toward Somalia’s long-term ambitions of becoming a modern, well-governed state in the Horn of Africa. The Prime Minister concluded that the ID system will serve as a platform for achieving economic empowerment, political participation, and national security.

WardheerNews